Ryan Howse scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Chilliwack Bruins defeated the Kamloops Blazers 5-4 Saturday night in Chilliwack. The Bruins are now a perfect 3-0 in home openers after wins over Kelowna in year one and Portland last season.
The two teams each struck twice with the man advantage in the first period. Bruins rookie defenceman Brandon Manning opened the scoring with his first Western Hockey League goal just 91 seconds into the opening period. Shayne Wiebe answered for Kamloops with two quick powerplay goals to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead. Bruins rookie forward Alexander Wiklund, the game's first star brought the Bruins back to even with his first WHL goal to send the teams to the break tied at two.
After a scoreless second period, Jadon Potter gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead early in the third period, before Bruins defenceman Matt Strong gave the home team a two goal cushion with just over nine minutes left in the third. Chilliwack couldn't hold the lead as Kamloops sophomore Jimmy Bubnick struck twice in the game's final moments, the tying marker coming with just 16 seconds left in the final frame.
Overtime decided nothing, setting the stage for Howse's heroics. Bruins goaltender Mark Friesen preserved the win stopping Shayne Wiebe on the Blazers final attempt.
Mark Friesen earned the win in goal for Chilliwack while Justin Leclerc took the loss for Kamloops. The Blazers outshot Chilliwack 32-28. Both teams had eight opportunities with the man advantage with the Blazers outscoring Chilliwack 3-2 on the powerplay.
The Bruins next action is Saturday, September 27th when they host the Prince George Cougars.
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