ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins defeated the Yorkton Terriers 7-4 Friday night in Game 1 of the best of seven SJHL semifinal series at Affinity Place.
Yorkton had a chance to take the lead early in the first period with a couple of power plays, but didn't convert. Late in the second man advantage, Olivier Pouliot dashed into the Yorkton zone and opened the scoring 3:29 into the period.
Estevan had a four-minute power play moments later, but couldn't beat Terriers goaltender Kael DePape despite having several chances to score.
Jamie Valentino would score at even strength just before the midway point of the first period for the two-goal Estevan lead.
Yorkton scored twice in the opening eight minutes of the second period. Karsten Krupka had the Terriers' first goal 1:40 into the second period, and then Zach McIntyre scored on a Terriers' power play less than six minutes later. It was the first power-play goal surrendered by the Bruins in this year's playoffs.
But then Cade Kennedy was assessed a five-minute major for checking from behind shortly after McIntrye's goal. The Bruins struggled to generate chances early in the power play, but then Nolan Jones skated in from the point and scored for a 3-2 Estevan lead.
Mikol Sartor added another power-play goal with 72 seconds to play in the middle frame.
The goals continued in the third period. Mark Rumsey scored 2:37 into the third period for a 5-2 Estevan lead, but Yorkton's Tyson Janzen replied a few minutes later. Yorkton had a golden opportunity to further cut into the lead, thanks to an extended two-man advantage, but Estevan stymied the Terriers' power play.
Valentino and Pouliot would each get their second of the game to put Estevan up by four, and Krupka would get one more for Yorkton.
Boston Bilous stopped 18 of 22 shots for Estevan. DePape has made 28 saves on 35 shots for Yorkton.
Game 2 will be Saturday night at Affinity Place, starting at 7 p.m.
Be sure to visit www.sasktoday.ca for updates throughout the series.
