GFBB nearly slip a win past the league's toughest team
By Graeme Willson
The Grand Forks Border Bruins’ home game against Beaver Valley Nitehawks on Jan. 19 was a fast-pace, exciting game. The Nitehawks kept the lead and overtook the Bruins 7-5.
Before the first puck had been dropped, Bruins’ Brandon Savaia received a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The first goal of the game was scored by Nitehawks’ Dallas Calvin with 16:27 on the clock.
For the next 10 minutes, the two teams exercised their speed skating skills but when the clock read 6:41, Savaia was sent back to the penalty box for tripping. Another minute passed, and Nitehawks’ Brandon Fuller was sent to the box for slashing.
Despite the teams executing many more plays, they struggled to finish their plays and successfully score a goal. However, many players got their rest in the penalty box. Nitehawks’ Jacob Boyczuk hit the bench for slashing and Bruins’ Graham Watkins was sent for interference.
The next goal was scored by Nitehawks Jeremy Lucchini when he pulled a power play with 3:22 on the clock.
The penalty box was never empty for long. Nitehawks Keanan Petershuk was sent to the box for hooking.
A third goal was scored for the Nitehawks by Dallas Calvin just before the period ended.
Both teams ramped up their energy at the start of the second period. They showed no mercy to their opponents and kept scuffling on the ice. The fans in the stands were on their feet with all the excitement. As a result, the penalties kept adding up.
Nitehawks’ Archie McKinnon was the first penalty of the period for delaying the game. Bruins’ Michael Rand was next for hooking.
The fans kept cheering and the players kept taking turns in the penalty boxes.
Nitehawks Riley Brand set up a fast power play to get his team’s fourth goal of the game.
Bruins’ Connor Gross was sent to the box for checking from behind, but then they got their first goal of the game thanks to Tucker Brown with assists from Coleton Dawson and Cam McLennan.
A fifth goal was scored by the Nitehawks Brandt and his teammate was sent to the box for slashing.
Despite playing such a high-energy game, both teams managed to keep increasing their plays and the action on the ice. The same was true for the penalties. Nitehawks Fraser Stang was given two-minutes for slashing, teammate Andrew Clark was given five minutes for game interference and game misconduct.
When the puck dropped again, there were only 3:13 minutes left in the period and the Nitehawks took control of the puck.
Bruins’ Michael Rand completes a power play and scores his team’s second goal with assists from Michael Dolman and McLennon.
The energy never wavered, and the teams came back for period three like they had taken a power nap during the intermission and chugged energy drinks. The fans felt the excitement and kept the teams going with their cheers and shouting.
As soon as the puck dropped, the Nitehawks completed a seven-second power play and Braden Fuller scored their sixth goal.
The third period wouldn’t be complete without some penalties for the rowdy players and Bruins’ Lucas Robinson was handed out ten minutes for misconduct, teammate Corey Munro and Nitehawks Jacob Boychuk both got five minutes for fighting and gross misconduct.
Munro and Boychuk both received a one-game suspension for their next games.
Much of the third period was goal-free, despite the power plays and fans’ energy. The refs let a couple scuffles slide as the fans screamed, but no helmets or gloves were tossed.
When the clock reached 16:50, the refs whistled sounded and Nitehawks’ Archie McKinnon was give a two-minute penalty for slashing. A couple minutes later, Rand was sent to the box for tripping.
Bruins’ player Graham Watkins scored their third goal with 10:20 on the clock. He had assists from Rand and Nathan Cory.
Only a few seconds later, Lincoln Lane scored their fourth goal with assists from Michael Pearson and Cory. Their fifth, and final, goal was scored a few minutes later when the clock reached 7:49. Tucker Brown made the goal with help from Mitchell Dolman and Reid Robertson.
The Bruins’ brought it up another notch and drove the crowd mad as they battled the Nitehawks in the final minutes of the game. The Nitehawks are rumoured to be the toughest and strongest team in the league. They heard the crowd’s response to the Bruins’ and started playing a rougher game.
The game was stolen from the Bruins’ when the refs whistle blew, sending Lane to the penalty box for tripping. The crowd was not happy about the penalty and let the refs know.
After sealing the Bruins fate, the Nitehawks were able to take advantage of the missing player by scoring their seventh goal, in a power play completed by Calvin.
“Our guys just about put a comeback together and really proved themselves as potentially the second strongest team in this year’s league,” said Bruins’ assistant coach Matt Zamitt. “We are very proud of our team. Even with both my teams most accomplished players, Connor Gross and Jackson Purvis out of the game tonight due to injuries, it never held the rest of the team back tonight. They shared the responsibilities and came so close to winning the game.”
