Bruins win another overtime thriller
By Gerry Foster
In 1980 both the Cleveland Browns in football and the Philadelphia Phillies in baseball were nicknamed the Kardiac or Cardiac Kids for their ability to win close, nail – biting games. The Grand Forks Border Bruins may also receive some consideration for that nickname if they continue what took place over the weekend.
The Bruins went into overtime to defeat the visiting Beaver Valley Nitehawks 6-5 on Friday and the following evening in Spokane they scored the tying goal with 3:48 to play to once again send a game into extra time. The first OT solved nothing so the teams played 3 on 3 in yet another five minute period. With less than 2 minutes to go Michael Rand fired the puck into the Braves net and was swarmed by his exhaustive teammates.
Rand was not the only Grand Forks player to receive congratulations. Goalkeeper Jake Mullen, from Coeur D’ Alene Idaho, was brilliant, stopping 47 shots in regulation and keeping the Bruins in the game. It appeared his finest game so far in this young season in the nets for the Border Bruins might be in vain but Kyle Doak finally broke through and beat Spokane goalie Patrick Kasper, who also had a strong game. Doak also assisted on the winning goal.
This was a character win for the Bruins, their first road victory and fifth overall win of the season. They were missing some key players and faced some questionable officiating. They were ticketed for 11 of the 16 penalties called in the game including a game misconduct to Jeremy McGregor.
Despite the adversity the team dug down deep; they bent but did not break -truly a gutsy effort for Coach Brad Snyder’s crew. Six days earlier Spokane had waxed the Bears 8-0 in this same building. This was Grand Forks 3rd victory in 4 games over their American division rivals.
The Bruins are back in action this Friday with a road contest in Fernie. They make the long trip back home to face the Creston Valley Thunder Cats Saturday, October 11th at7:00 pm and complete their Thanksgiving weekend with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 against the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
