ESTEVAN - Sam Kroon scored with 4:45 to play in the second overtime period to lift the Notre Dame Hounds to a 4-3 victory over the Estevan Bruins Friday night at Affinity Place.
Notre Dame leads the best-of-seven Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League quarter-final series 1-0.
Kade Runke scored 6:07 into the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Notre Dame responded with two goals in a 4:19 span before the period was out to lead 2-1, with Elliot Dutil and Oliver Band scoring.
Bruin defenceman Kian Calder scored at the 9:29 mark of the second period to tie the game, but Will Dawson restored the Hounds’ slim advantage 64 seconds later.
Notre Dame had a chance to add to the lead on a power play, but Bruin goaltender Boston Bilous made a spectacular save with less than a second remaining in the middle frame.
It remained a one-goal game until late in the third, when Mark Rumsey scored on an excellent individual effort with 4:08 to play.
Estevan controlled the first overtime period, and had several excellent chances to score, but couldn’t beat Hounds’ goalie Austin Elliott.
The play was more balanced in the second overtime, and Kroon would be the hero after his point shot found a way through and past Bilous, who made 32 saves for the Bruins.
Elliott stopped 52 shots for Notre Dame.
It was the Bruins first game since March 5.
Game 2 will be Saturday night at Affinity Place at 7 p.m.
