The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins are going to Game 7 in their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League quarter-final series with the Humboldt Broncos.
Johnny Witzke and Will Koop scored in the opening six minutes of the first period to set the tone for the Bruins, who have rallied from a 3-1 series deficit with two straight victories to tie the best-of-seven series with Humboldt.
A key point came late in the first period and early in the second, when the Broncos had a power play that extended for more than five minutes, including a prolonged two-man advantage, thanks to a pair of double-minor penalties taken by the Bruins only 72 seconds apart.
But the Broncos couldn’t score and the Bruins lead remained in tact.
“They bought into blocking shots,” said head coach/GM Chris Lewgood. “They were winning battles that were winnable. Nobody strayed from the plan as far as the penalty kill in the zone. Those little things were big. You get carried away trying to do too much or being inefficient with your energy and that kind of thing, you can hurt yourself.”
While it wasn’t a turning point, since the club played great from the outset, Lewgood thought it was a key point in the contest.
Devan Harrison scored a short-handed goal with less than eight minutes to play in the second period to extend the Bruins lead to three.
Brayden Camrud’s goal 7 1/2 minutes into the third pulled the Broncos to within two, and the Broncos had further scoring chances afterwards. But Grant Boldt shut the door, and Bryce Platt added an empty net goal for the Bruins in the final minute.
Boldt stopped 34 shots in the victory. Rayce Ramsay stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced for Humboldt.
“I thought Grant had to make some big saves for us. I think we out-chanced those guys and we limited their quality chances, but he made some quality saves for us.
Lewgood said the team has been more focused since early in Game 5 Friday night, which they trailed 2-0 midway through the first period before rallying to win 3-2 in double overtime.
“They don’t miss assignments like they were. They’re able to execute the game plan a little more thoroughly, and in doing so, that puts them in good position physically. And the other thing to that focus is our ability to bear down our chances and capitalize on our opportunities,” said Lewgood.
Game 7 will start at 7:30 p.m. at Affinity Place.
“Humboldt has some veteran guys who have been around a long time, so they’re going to bring a little more and we have to answer. We have to take another step forward.”
Regardless of whether the Bruins grab the lead or find themselves down a goal, they will have to maintain their focus, Lewgood said.
Tickets for the game go on sale at 9 a.m. Monday morning.
