MELFORT – The Estevan Bruins emerged from Melfort with a point Wednesday night, thanks in part to the efforts of their goaltender.
Benjamin Polhill stopped 43 of 46 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss against the reigning SJHL champions, the Melfort Mustangs. Cade Kennedy forced overtime when he scored for Estevan with eight seconds to play in the third period.
Melfort dominated the first period, outshooting the Bruins 21-4, but emerged with just a 1-0 lead on a goal by Zach Turner. They doubled the advantage in the second on a goal by former Estevan U18 AAA Bear Zayden Sadlemyer, but the Bruins halved the deficit when defenceman Michael Carter scored his first in the SJHL with 3:36 remaining in the frame.
Melfort outshot Estevan 14-5 in the third, but Kennedy had the lone marker in the frame.
Logan Belton scored the winner 53 seconds into overtime.
Melfort outshot Estevan 46-14 on the night. Madden Mulawka made 12 saves for the Mustangs.
Forward Cole Robertson made his Bruin debut in the game. He was held without a point. The Bruins played without injured forwards Kent Moors and Luke Hogan, who are their top two scorers, as well as forward Cody Polumbus.
In off-ice news, goaltender Kyle Kelsey has left the club and has joined the Victoria Grizzlies of the B.C. Hockey League. He had a 2.70 goals against average and a .927 save percentage in seven games with the Bruins.
Estevan (5-7-2-1) will visit the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Nov. 15 and 16.
