Bruins struggle to save away game winning streak
By Graeme Willson
Saturday night’s hockey game between the Grand Forks Border Bruins and the Summerland Steam brought in fans by the droves. There was almost a full house of spectators in the stands, waiting to see if the Bruins would win their third consecutive game after two wins on the road. The battle was hard-fought.
No goals were made in the first period, but both teams were on a continuous rush, speeding in pursuit for control over the puck.
When the horn blew at the end of the first period, the scoreboard was still at 0-0. However, both teams had worked hard to connect the puck to the net. The Steams had made 11 shots attempting to score goals in the net and the Bruins made 19 attempts at the Steam’s goal.
The second period had even more vigour on the ice as both teams took it up a notch. The Steam’s Josh DaCosta made the first score of the night at 11:42 in the second period with assists from Reid Brown and Daylan Robertson.
The second goal came along at 9:56, still in the second period, thanks to Brown with no assists. It was his ninth goal of the season.
The Bruins scored their first goal in the second period at 8:22. Kylle Dolly made the goal with no assistance.
Halfway through the second period the pressure was mounting as both teams were starting to feel the heat to win and tempers started flaring. A fight broke out on the ice between two players of the opposing teams. The sound of the referee’s whistles rang but that didn’t end the scuffle until two of the refs had gotten hold of either players and pulled them apart. The refs gave out penalties to both players for roughing. The Bruins’ Tucker Brown and the Steams’ Alex Williams were each given two minute penalties.
When the horn sounded at the end of the second period, the Bruins had made an additional 14 attempts at the Steams’ goal.
During the second and third intermission while leaving the ice the Bruins team captain received a minor concussion from getting an unknown players elbow to the side of his head, which forced the Bruins team captain, Jackson Purvis, to sit out the remainder of the game. Purvis is expected back on the ice by next Friday’s home game in Grand Forks.
When the third period started, both teams showed their fury for the win. A penalty was called at 14:22 on Steams’ Alex Williams for high sticking. Both teams’ energies were revving as they began to fight for control of the puck.
At 11:32 another time out was called and the referee gave a penalty to Steam player Easton Bodeux – two minutes for elbowing.
The Bruins scored their second goal when the clock reached 8:16. Dolly made this goal with no assistance. It was his sixth goal of the season.
The Steams’ third goal was made with 6:43 minutes left in the game by Dylan Burton with assists from Olli Dickson and Reid Brown.
The Bruins were showing even tighter plays on the ice as the pressure grew and they tried to push the game into overtime.
With seconds ticking away on the clock bringing the third game to an end, you could almost see the adrenalin sweating off the players’ brows.
More penalties were called with Steams’ Gordon Walter and the Bruins’ Graham Watkins each getting two minutes for roughing.
At 4:26, Steams’ Bodeux got another penalty — two minutes in the penalty box for hooking. This was Bodeux second penalty of the game.
As the clock ticked down the furry of Summerland Steams was visible in their synchronized plays as they attempted to score another goal before the horn ended the game.
More penalties were doled out at 2:06 for Bruins’ player Lucas Robinson – two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
At this point, the Bruins opted to pull their goalie, to make up for the player they had in the penalty box and try to tie the game.
With only seconds left on the clock the Steams’ players rallied a power play, taking possession of the puck from the visitors end with Robertson towing the puck with his stick. He worked the puck back up the ice to an open net and with at least 15 feet from the centre line, Robertson makes an incredible slap shot and wins the game with a final score of 4:2 with only 12 seconds left on the clock.
“These guys showed resilience, worked hard and fought hard to win this game,” said coach Kevin Flather. “When the light of day hits, I’m always 100 per cent behind them and proud of the effort my team put in tonight.”
Away games
The Border Bruins beat Fernie 5-4 on Nov. 8 and went on to best Creston 8-5 on Nov. 9. Their next game is Nov. 20 in Nelson.
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