by Matthew Tanner (Resident Bruins Expert)
Email: joel at ufvcascade dot ca
The Chilliwack Bruins have found some traction. After spinning their tires for weeks, the Bruins were able to rattle off three wins in four games, which brings their record this season to 20-19-2-1.
The first in the run was a gritty 5-4 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds in overtime. The seesaw battle was decided in the extra frame on the power play by Dylen McKinlay, with the helpers going to Ryan Howse and Roman Horak. This victory was the first home victory for the team since December 3. The much needed win was a wonderful lead into a stretch of games that would see the Bruins battle the Prince George Cougars in three straight contests.
The Cougars went into the three game mini-series leading the B.C. Division and sitting in second in the Western Conference. The Bruins mauled the cougars 5-2 in the first meeting in Chilliwack at the Prospera Centre. Roman Horak and Ryan Howse lead the way offensively with a goal and an assist each in the effort. Bruins defenceman Jesse Zgraggen earned his first career WHL point. Zgraggen’s first point was a third period goal which truly put the game out of reach for the Cougars.
The teams then shifted surroundings to the C.N. Centre in Prince George for the next two games. The first game resulted in the Bruins getting pounded themselves. The Cougars made up for their shortcomings in the prior matchup by thrashing the Bruins 7-3. Prince George forward Taylor Stefishen was named the game’s first star for netting two goals and an assist.
Alas, the mini-series would all come down to the third and final game to decide who, at the current point in the season, has the upper hand between these two teams. It seems the biggest difference has been in net, where Chilliwack netminder Lucas Gore put on a show, making an astounding 46 saves, which allowed him to lead the Bruins to a much needed 3-1 victory. While neither team scored on the power play in the deciding game, the Bruins received two shorthanded goals, coming from Ryan Howse and Roman Horak.
These two teams have a rough and extremely tough history together; line brawls have not been an uncommon event. These three games saw a continuation of this trend. The games proved to be chippy, nasty and downright dirty at times. While this wasn’t witnessed to the extent seen in the past, it could be a sign of things to come. Prince George will meet the Bruins twice more this season, the first coming this Saturday, January 22, in Chilliwack. Many regard any games played between these two teams to be a possible playoff preview, which makes them even more intriguing.
To the team’s good fortune, Bruins captain and top defenceman Brandon Manning returned to the line-up in Prince George. His presence should help shore up the defensive zone and may lead to a more productive powerplay that has gone 0-19 in its last three games.
