Bruins Top Blazers in Shootout

January 19th, 2008

Randy McNaught scored his first WHL goal for the Bruins Saturday night. Bob Frid photo.

Mark Santorelli and Nick Holden scored in the shootout and goaltender Mark Friesen stopped both shooters he faced as the Bruins defeated the visiting Kamloops Blazers 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night. The Bruins (23-21-3-1) are now alone in sixth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of both the Blazers (22-23-1-2) and Seattle Thunderbirds.

Bruins rookie Randy McNaught opened the scoring with his first of the season with 2:31 left in the opening period. McNaught took a pass from linemate Liam Darragh who took advantage of a Blazers turn over and snapped the puck over the left shoulder of Blazers netminder Justin Leclerc. It was the only goal of the first period.

In the second, Brayden Metz gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead at 6:41 after intercepting a pass in the Blazers zone and snapping the puck past Leclerc. Chilliwack got into penalty trouble late in the middle frame giving the Blazers a two man advantage. Brady Calla scored during the 5 on 3, bouncing the puck off of Bruins defenceman Jeff Einhorn and behind Bruins goaltender Mark Friesen. Kenton Dulle then batted home a loose puck just five seconds after the Bruins returned to full strength to tie the game at two after two periods of play.

No goals in the third period or overtime sent the game to the shootout.

In the shootout, Blazers forward Ivan Rohac went first but was unable to beat Friesen with a backhand deke. Shooting first for the Bruins was Mark Santorelli who was able to beat LeClerc with a backhand deke of his own, roofing the puck from three feet out. Juuso Puustinen, the Blazers second shooter was able to get the puck behind Friesen but saw his attempt clang harmlessly off the goal post. With the game on the line, Bruins Captain Nick Holden gave the Bruins the victory, beating LeClerc with a forehand deke, again beating the Blazers goaltender up high.

Kamloops outshot Chilliwack 34-31. The Bruins were 0/4 on the power play. Kamloops was 1/4.

The three stars of the game were Bruins goaltender Mark Friesen, the Blazers Kenton Dulle and Bruins forward Brayden Metz.

A reminder to all fans that the Bruins second annual skills competition is Sunday January 20th at Prospera Centre beginning at 2pm. Fans will have the opportunity to win great prizes including two Bruins season tickets for the 2008-09 season. More details can be found here.

The Bruins next home game is Friday January 25th when once again the Bruins will host the Kamloops Blazers. Tickets for all Bruins home games can be purchased through the ticketmaster website, by phone ( 1-800-663-9311) or in person at any ticketmaster location.

Ice Chips: Saturday's game was played before the second largest home crowd in Bruins history. 5,148 people took in the game, just 10 fewer than last season's March 2nd game vs the Vancouver Giants...Randy McNaught's goal was his first WHL goal...Brayden Metz now has three goals in his last two games...Mark Friesen is now ranked seventh in WHL goaltender save percentage ( 91.3)...Bruins forward Cody Smuk left the game in the first period with an undisclosed injury.