ESTEVAN – Logan Ziegler’s goal 11 seconds into the game ignited a four-goal first period, and Cam Hrdlicka made 31 saves to get the shutout, as the Estevan Bruins trounced the Humboldt Broncos 6-0 Thursday night at Affinity Place.
Ziegler capitalized on a turnover by a Broncos’ player moments after the game started to give Estevan the quick 1-0 edge. Ziegler said after the game that he believes it’s the quickest goal he has ever scored into a game, and he’s confident it will be the earliest game-winning goal he ever scores.
Evan Forrest scored in tight just before the 10-minute mark of the period for a 2-0 advantage. Goals by Jagjeevan Phangura and Kade Runke in the final four minutes of the opening frame put Estevan up by four after 20 minutes. The Bruins outshot Humboldt 17-7 in the opening frame.
The Bruins continued with the pressure early in the second, hitting the post in the opening minute. When Humboldt did generate chances, Hrdlicka stopped them, such as a sprawling glove save off of Lucas Ceccarelli six minutes into the middle frame.
Ziegler scored his second of the game 8:55 into the middle frame, and Alex Blanchard finished the scoring with less than five minutes to play in the third.
The Bruins’ final three goals were on the power play.
The shutout was Hrdlicka’s second of the season. Tristan Boileau started in goal for Humboldt and made 13 saves on 17 shots. Benjamin Motew stopped 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
The Bruins will host the Battlefords North Stars – the top-ranked team in Canada – on Friday night at 7 p.m. Humboldt will be at the Weyburn Red Wings on Friday, also at 7 p.m.
Then Estevan and Humboldt will meet at 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Affinity Place.
