ESTEVAN - The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins opened the 2024-25 SJHL regular season with a 4-2 loss against the Melville Millionaires on Friday night at Affinity Place.
Both of Estevan's goals were scored by players making their SJHL debut. Rorey Elson scored on a power play with just over six minutes to play in the second period for the Bruins' first goal of the season. That goal made the score 2-1 for Melville, and the tally seemed to give the Bruins some life in the final minutes of the frame.
Luke Lawford scored the Bruins' other goal with six minutes left in the third period. The goal came just moments after Melville took a 4-1 lead.
Melville's top line proved to be too much for the Bruins, as they combined for four goals and 10 points. Ryan Roethke scored three times in his first game in the SJHL. Caden Drury, the former captain of the Estevan U18 AAA Bears, notched a goal and three assists, and Brendan Olson had three assists.
Most of Melville's goals came on odd-man rushes.
Benjamin Polhill stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced for Estevan in his first start in the SJHL. Loic Morin had 27 saves for Melville.
It's the first time since 2019 the Bruins have lost their season opener.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Melville.
