Bruins rout the Red Wings

By David Willberg

Hudson Morrison scored twice in the second period to pace the Estevan Bruins to a convincing 5-1 victory over the Weyburn Red Wings on Saturday night.

Morrison scored a breakaway goal on a power play early in the second period to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead, and upped the Black and Gold's advantage to 4-1 with a goal on a bouncing shot a few minutes later.

"It felt really good to get the win at home, and to pot a couple tonight," said Morrison, who was in his first game since attending the World Junior A Challenge selection camp.

The goals were Morrison's first in the SJHL.

Tanner Froese and Wyatt Garagan scored in the first period to give Estevan a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Garagan's goal was also his first in the SJHL.

Nick Weiss had the other Bruin goal – a tally that came 75 seconds after Morrison's second goal.

“We talked about, after the first, treating it as a 0-0 game, going back out there and building on what we had done, and making the second period better than the first,” said head coach/GM Keith Cassidy.

It was a convincing victory for Estevan, as they outshot the Red Wings 34-15 through the first two periods. The shots on goal were 42-24 overall.

Curtis Martinu stopped 23 shots in the victory.  He also registered an assist on Morrison’s first goal, as Martinu skated out of the net towards the blue line to advance the puck, and spring Morrison on a breakaway.

"I saw a couple guys open there … and … Morrison picked the puck and put the puck in the net," said Martinu.

Cassidy said there are risks with goalies who play the puck frequently, but Martinu's passing skills are very good, and it creates an advantage for the team.

Cassidy said the Bruins were finally rewarded for their efforts against Weyburn.

“We had the opportunities here tonight,” said Cassidy. “We got some rebound goals, but we also got some major league goals. That one that Nick Weiss scored is a goal on anybody in any league. If we continue to do the little things right, and continue to support one another, I think we’re going to be all right.”

The Bruins played without forward Calder Neufeld, who suffered a sprained ankle in practice on Thursday. He’s expected to miss a couple weeks.

Estevan’s next game is Tuesday night at home against the Yorkton Terriers. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.