By Matthew Tanner (Resident Bruins Expert) – Email
The Chilliwack Bruins finally managed to end their losing streak at seven with a 4-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday night in Chilliwack. After losing the previous seven games, including one the night before in Kamloops 2-1, the Bruins were able to come out on top, though it wasn’t easy.
The game was the back half of a home-and-home series with Kamloops. In the first game the Bruins put in a heartfelt effort but wound up giving up the winning goal while penalized in the third period. The penalty was taken by Bruins captain Brandon Manning while on the forecheck. Manning came together with Blazers defenceman Austin Madaisky near the boards, catching Madaisky at a weird angle. The hit resulted in a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct for Manning. Just nine seconds into the power play the deed was done, Kamloops had scored the winning goal.
The 2-1 loss was tough to take, but with Manning now suspended and awaiting judgment from the league, the second game was going to be that much tougher. The Bruins didn’t do themselves any favours in the first period either; they gave up two markers to the Blazers and didn’t get any of their own shots past Blazers netminder Jeff Bosch. Thankfully for the Bruins, their luck turned around in the second period.
Just a mere 43 seconds into the second frame, Bruins star forward Ryan Howse got the home team on the board. Three minutes and 17 seconds later Howse notched another one for the good guys, with his team on the power play. With all the momentum on the Bruins side, they found themselves with a glorious opportunity to score; Dalibor Bortnak drew blood with a high stick and received a four minute penalty. Unfortunately, Chilliwack wasn’t able to convert on the extended power play, which killed all of the momentum they had gained. The second period ended in a 2-2 tie.
The third period started even quicker than the second, with Bruins forward Roman Horak tickling the twine just 24 seconds in. On the goal Ryan Howse picked up his third point of the game, while Kevin Sundher tallied his third assist of the night. Kamloops managed to tie it a couple minutes later on a strange bounce; Blazer Bernhard Keil got credit for the tying marker. That left the stage set for some heroics from Bruins rookie forward Brandon Magee. His go-ahead goal was his eighth this year. The night marked another good night for Dylen McKinlay who acquired two points. The improved performance of McKinlay is necessary if the Bruins plan to make the playoffs. With the goal, the Bruins were able to close out the 4-3 win against a bitter rival.
The win sees the Bruins trail the Blazers, who sit in the final playoff spot, by just a single point; that’s not bad with four games in hand. This game may have saved Chilliwack’s hopes for a postseason. Now the Bruins will wait to hear how soon they can expect the return of their captain. Next up for Chilliwack is a home-and-home series with the Kelowna Rockets, starting in Kelowna on Friday.
