WILCOX - The Estevan Bruins picked up another lopsided win Tuesday night, defeating the Notre Dame Hounds 9-0 in Wilcox in the first meeting of the year between the two teams.
Ironically, it was close early, as the Bruins didn’t open the scoring until Jamie Valentino scored with 2:32 remaining in the first period. It was Valentino’s first goal with the Bruins since coming over from the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last month.
The floodgates opened promptly in the second when Eric Pearce scored 16 seconds into the frame. Mark Rumsey scored a few minutes later for a 3-0 lead, and then defenceman Dayton Deics scored two straight. Caelan Fitzpatrick tallied 32 seconds after Deics’ goal, and Rumsey scored two minutes later to put the Bruins up seven.
Billy Sowa padded the Bruins’ lead early in the third period, and Deics finished the hat trick with 2:14 to play in the game.
Boston Bilous made 31 saves for the shutout victory. Ryley Osland started for Notre Dame, and allowed eight goals on 37 shots. Oliver Tushenhagen allowed one goal on five shots over the final nine minutes of the game.
The Bruins (22-5-1-1) have won five straight. They will visit the Humboldt Broncos Saturday night in the fourth and final meeting of the season between the top two teams in the league.
