ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins continue to hold onto top spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s overall standings, after a 3-1 win over the Melville Millionaires Saturday at Affinity Place.
After a scoreless first period, in which the Black and Gold outshot the Mills 17-2, the Bruins opened the scoring when Kade Runke scored 5:33 into the second period. Melville picked up some momentum in the second half of the middle frame, and tied the game when Noah Wills scored on a power play with six minutes remaining in the second.
Runke scored what proved to be the game winner seven minutes into the third period, and Olivier Pouliot gave the Bruins some breathing room with a power play goal on an end-to-end rush with less than five minutes to play in the third.
Boston Bilous started the game in goal for the Bruins and stopped seven of the eight shots he faced through two periods. Cam Hrdlicka entered the game in the third and made five saves.
Alexis Giroux made 45 saves on 48 shots for Melville.
Three members of the Estevan Steelhaus U18 AAA Bears dressed for Melville in the game: forwards Tucker Buhay and Blaze Gutzke, and defenceman Ayden Lamarre.
The announced crowd for the game was 1,602 spectators.
Estevan (41-10-1-3, 86 points) sits two points ahead of the Humboldt Broncos (42-13, 84 points) for first overall. Both teams have three games remaining.
The Bruins will play their final home game of the regular season Wednesday when they host the Notre Dame Hounds. Game time is 7 p.m.
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