by Matthew Tanner (Resident Bruins Expert)
Email: cascade.sports@ufv.ca
This past Friday night saw the Chilliwack Bruins(12-9-2-1) clip the wings of the high flying Portland Winterhawks. The Bruins gave up the first two goals of the game, but they answered back with seven straight of their own. The Winterhawks came into the game with the top record in the Dub at 21-4-0-1. The first place team in the WHL played well but had neither the finish nor the goaltending the Chilliwack squad had.
The Bruins played the game with toughness and emotion right from the start. Many large hits were levelled, and there were a number of fights throughout the contest. While they gave up the first couple goals, the Bruins were able to get up on the board in the second period. Defenseman Brandon Manning released a shot low along the ice from the point, beating Portland goaltender Mac Carruth between the legs five-hole. From here on in the game was all Chilliwack.
Bruins defender Jeff Einhorn took a feed from Chilliwack sniper Ryan Howse and proceeded to deposit the puck in the back of the net for his first goal of the year. Chilliwack native Steve Oursov scored his first goal for the Bruins this season on a beautiful, shorthanded breakaway. The Bruins brought up defensive prospect Kade Pilton to try and fill the gap on the backend created by injuries. Pilton, in his second game of the season, got his first WHL point, an assist on a third period goal by Kevin Sundher.
Kevin Sundher himself had a wonderful night, finishing up with two goals and two assists. Ryan Howse also had a strong night, netting himself a goal and an assist as well. Bruins goalie Lucas Gore made 30 saves on 32 shots. Winterhawks goalie Mac Carruth also made 30 saves on 37 shots. As is the case with the Bruins, when their special teams are clicking they tend to be victorious in the game. The Bruins first ranked power play went three for seven on the night. Just as impressive, the Bruins penalty kill went a perfect eight for eight in the game against a team full of offensive skill. Possibly the key moment in the game was a frantic Bruins 5-on-3 penalty kill early in the first period that lasted for a minute and 49 seconds. This kept the game from getting out of hand before it had really even started.
The Bruins made a trade earlier in the week to pick another much needed defenseman. Chilliwack dealt goaltender Cole Holowenko to the Prince Albert Raiders for defenseman Emerson Hrynyk. Hrynyk played in his first game with the Bruins against Portland, and while he didn’t factor in on the score sheet, his presence was noticeable, making a few good outlet passes and getting involved physically in the game.
In other news, the Chilliwack Bruins captain and star defenseman Brandon Manning signed his first pro contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The three year entry-level contract is rumoured to pay him $60,000 a year in the AHL and $690,000 a year if he moves up to the NHL. Manning has scored 11 goals and 16 assists in 22 games this year.
