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Midget A Bruins thankful for community's support during trying time

The Estevan midget A Bruins quest for a provincial title came to an end Saturday afternoon during an emotional day. The Bruins lost 2-0 to the Swift Current Broncos at Affinity Place, and dropped the two-game, total-goal series 6-5.
Midget A Bruins
Midget A Bruins goaltender Nigel Mack had a strong game on Saturday against Swift Current.

The Estevan midget A Bruins quest for a provincial title came to an end Saturday afternoon during an emotional day.

The Bruins lost 2-0 to the Swift Current Broncos at Affinity Place, and dropped the two-game, total-goal series 6-5. Coach Jim Ludwig said Swift Current scored their first goal on a seeing-eye shot from the point, and added their second goal with a little more than a minute to play.

“They needed both of them to beat us, because we came home one (goal) up,” said Ludwig.

The Bruins played as hard as they could in what Ludwig described as a pretty good team effort, and they received strong goaltending from Nigel Mack.

“He held us in it,” said Ludwig. “He played an excellent game. He stopped 37 of 39 shots.”

The game was played six days after the death of Aaron Lavoie, a 16-year-old forward on the team. His photo was placed on the video scoreboard and a moment of silence was observed before the game.

 

 

 

The crowd was the largest that Ludwig has seen for a midget game at Affinity Place, and he attributed it to people wanting to show their support for the club.

Ludwig remembers Lavoie for always having a smile on his face and giving a great effort.

“He was always giving 110 per cent, that’s for sure, even a little bit over the edge sometimes,” said Ludwig. “And he never, ever backed down from anybody.”

Even though most players were bigger, that didn’t matter to Lavoie, who also played house league hockey with the midget Estevan Tower Wolves.

The midget A’s opponents from Swift Current were also very supportive. The Broncos sent flowers and well-wishes to the family, and purchased a certificate at the Tower Café for the Bruins to have supper after the game.

“They also brought little ribbons, black and yellow ribbons, for us to wear in honour of Aaron,” Ludwig said.