The Estevan Bruins once again leveled a barrage of shots at La Ronge Ice Wolves goalie Dan Davidson on Wednesday, November 28. Unlike their last trip to La Ronge, however, this impressive salvo led to a victory. 

Isaiah Thomas, Eddie Gallagher, Michael McChesney and Turner Ripplinger all scored and Grant Boldt stopped 32 of 33 shot as the Bruins downed the Ice Wolves 4-1 to split the season series. Davidson stopped 46 of 50 shots he faced, with Jake Gudjonson tallying for them.   

Thomas started the scoring just past the midway mark of the first period. The Bruins worked the puck around the offensive zone, before Jayden Davis finally pushing it through a maze of bodies around the net to Thomas, who slapped the puck into the wide open net.

The Ice Wolves replied just over two minutes into the second off a similar play, with Gudjonson finishing off the pass into an open side. But another goalmouth scramble restored the Bruins lead only five minutes later. Austin King-Cunningham took a shot from the point that Davidson couldn’t control, and before he could cover it, Gallagher picked the puck out of the pile and tucked it behind Davidson. 

The Bruins and Ice Wolves traded shots until under five minutes remained in the third. Off yet another scrambly play around the net, Bryce Platt kicked the puck to McChesney, and McChesney had most of the net to shoot and. The Bruins leading goal scorer potted his 14thof the year to give Estevan some breathing room.

With the Bruins on the man advantage, the Ice Wolves had no choice but to press. They left themselves open to a counterattack by sending all four players up ice, and the Bruins came back the other way on a four-on-none rush. Tristyn DeRoose and Ripplinger took charge, passing back and fourth finishing off the play for a 4-1 lead. 

The Bruins had given themselves enough separation and from there they cruised to the win. Estevan moved to 1-1 on the road trip. They resume the trip on Friday night in Flin Flon at 7:30. The game will air on Rock 106.

GAME NOTES

Michael McChesney’s goal was his team-leading 14thof the year. It was his first goal since the loss to Yorkton on November 17. 

The Bruins split the season series with La Ronge, with each team winning one game at home and one on the road. Both Bruins losses were by a single goal. The Ice Wolves, meanwhile, lost their 12thstraight game.

Thomas’s goal was his second in the last three games. He leads all Bruins rookies with 17 points, with Eddie Gallagher sitting second with 12.