The Estevan Bruins scored three times in the third period to rally from a 3-1 deficit and defeat the Melville Millionaires 4-3 Friday night in Melville.
It was the first game of the regular season for both teams, and the Bruins first game since March 11.
Cole Fonstad scored twice and added an assist to pace the Bruins attack. He opened the scoring 7:04 into the first period – his first regular season goal for the Bruins in nearly five years. Fonstad has spent the past four seasons in the Western Hockey League, but did score for the Bruins as a midget AAA call-up in 2015.
He’s one of a number WHL players skating in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to start the season.
The Mills tied the game seven minutes after Fonstad’s first when Reece Newkirk – another player with WHL experience – scored for Melville. Newkirk gave Melville the lead 27 seconds into the second period, and Jonathan Krahn doubled the advantage with six minutes to play in the middle frame.
Fonastad’s second of the game early in the third pulled the Bruins to within one, and Ryder Pierson – another Estevan product – tied the game a few minutes later.
Defenceman Nolan Jones – who also has WHL experience – scored the winner for the Bruins with 37 seconds to play in the third period. Jones, pinching in from the point, was in a corner when he threw the puck towards the net, and the puck bounced in off a Melville defender.
Emerik Demers stopped 25 shots to get the win – his first regular season victory in the SJHL.
The two teams will be back on the ice Saturday night at Affinity Place. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
