It took the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins over 55 minutes to gain their first lead of the game over the Yorkton Terriers, but all that matters is they had the lead when the final buzzer sounded.

Michael McChesney scored with 4:37 left in the 3rd period as the Bruins defeated Yorkton 5-4 on Tuesday night at Affinity Place.

It was the first meeting in almost three months between the Viterra division rivals. The Terriers beat the Bruins 3-2 back on November 13th in Yorkton.

Putting the puck on goal appeared to be a focus for the Bruins all night long, as they tested Terriers' goaltender Nathan Hargrave with 20 shots in the opening period while Yorkton fired 8 shots on Estevan netminder Curtis Meger.

However, it would be the Terriers' getting on the scoreboard first. After serving his second penalty of the period, Terriers' captain Corwin Stevely came out of the box and sniped a shot off the post and past Meger to give Yorkton a 1-0 lead. Jared Legien made it 2-0 shortly thereafter seconds after a Yorkton powerplay.

The Bruins would cut the deficit in half in the final minute of the period. Jason Miller potted his 20th of the year to give Estevan some momentum trailing only 2-1 heading into the 2nd period.

Early in the middle frame, the Bruins would tie it up as Hayden Guilderson went top shelf for his 8th of the season to make it 2-2. But Yorkton would bounce back.

Jordan Ross Fires A Short-Handed Goal Past Curtis Meger In The 2nd Period.

While shorthanded, Yorkton's Jordan Ross picked the top corner to put the Terriers' ahead 3-2. Then on a 2-on-0 breakaway, Kaleb Bell beat Meger blocker-side to restore Yorkton's two goal lead.

Once again the Bruins would respond before the intermission. Captain Lynnden Pastachak burned through the neutral zone, dangled around his defender and sniped one off the waterbottle for his 23rd of the season. Estevan led 39-20 in shots after two periods, but trailed 4-3.

After the powerplay struggled all night long, the man advantage would finally pay off for the Bruins in the third period. Off a turnover, Kaelan Holt fed Matt McNeil who backhanded his 23rd of the year past Hargrave to tie the game at 4-4 with 12:30 remaining in the game.

The Bruins continual pressure would pay off with less than five minutes remaining. Jayden Davis centered a pass in front for Michael McChesney. The rookie chipped a soft backhander that floated over Hargrave and into the back of the net for McChesney's 18th of the year to give Estevan a 5-4 lead.

Yorkton would be unable to get any pressure on Meger late, and the Bruins held on for the 5-4 victory.

The Bruins now have 30 wins on the season and have officially clinched a playoff spot with 12 games remaining.

Curtis Meger And Jason Miller Celebrate The Bruins' 30th Win Of The Year.

GAME NOTES

- Jason Miller (1G, 2A) led the way offensively and now has 45 points in 44 games this season.

- McChesney now has 18 goals, which leads all rookies in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

- Curtis Meger (22 saves) earned his third win over Yorkton this season. Meger won his first SJHL appearance over Yorkton (6-5 OT on Oct. 25th) and earned his first SJHL shutout over the Terriers' (5-0 on November 1st)

- Estevan finished 1/6 on the powerplay, Yorkton went 0/2 with a shorthanded goal

Estevan (30-15-0-1) will now prepare for another home-and-home series with the Weyburn Red Wings (22-22-1-4).

Both games will be broadcast on Rock106 with the pregame show 10 minutes before puckdrop.

FRIDAY - Estevan @ Weyburn - 7:30pm

SATURDAY - Weyburn @ Estevan - 7:30pm