Bruins tie franchise record for wins after sweep of MoJacks

MARLO STANFIELD Special to The Standard

The Uxbridge Bruins continued to run roughshod over the PJHL Orr Division competition with just one week remaining in the regular season, and the team locked in a fierce battle for top spot in the standings.

It was a busy weekend for the Bruins, as they played three games in four nights, and emerged victorious each time they stepped onto the ice. Uxbridge’s recent unbeaten run now stands at 14 games with just two games remaining in the regular season.

The Bruins won their 31st game of the season on Sunday, equaling the franchise record shared by the 1996-97 and 2001-02 editions of the team.

On Thursday night, the Bruins prevailed 5-2 over the Clarington Eagles in Bowmanville. On Friday night, the action shifted back to the Bear Den, for Canadian Tire Night, and the Bruins scored a dramatic comeback victory against Port Perry, with Jackson Savery sealing the 5-4 win, scoring with just 4 seconds remaining in regulation time.

On Sunday afternoon, the Battle of North Durham resumed, at Scugog Arena, with Aiden Reilly breaking a 2-2 tie with a pair of third period goals, to give Uxbridge a 4-2 win over the MoJacks.

Facing off against the Eagles, on Thursday, Jan. 31st, the Bruins had built a 2-0 lead early in the second period, behind goals from Savery and Toby Cooper, before the teams traded goals, with the Eagles notching a pair and Savery adding his second of the evening, to give Uxbridge a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.

The third period saw plenty of action, at both ends of the ice, but Clarington could not solve Uxbridge goalie Ryan McConkey, as he turned aside a total of 33 shots, with Stefan Palatsidis and Robert Freckelton scoring in the final frame, to seal the 5-2 win for the Bruins.

The next night, the Bruins were back at the Bear Den, for a Battle of North Durham against the rival Port Perry MoJacks, as part of Canadian Tire Night, at Uxbridge Arena, with lots of great prizes provided by the Bruins’ title sponsor.

The MoJacks stormed out of the gates, capitalizing on every opportunity in the early stages of the match, to take a 3-0 lead early in the second period.

The Bruins started to claw their way back on the penalty kill with about five minutes to play in the second, as Reilly and Savery both scored shorthanded goals, during the same MoJacks powerplay, to draw the Bruins to within a goal.

Just over two minutes into the third period, Simon Fieg scored to tie the game 3-3. However, the MoJacks caught a break with just under 8 minutes to play with Carter Thornton scoring a shorthanded goal for the visitors, to restore Port Perry’s advantage.

However, a power play goal by Savery knotted things once again, just over a minute later, setting up a frantic finish to the action. With just four seconds remaining in regulation, Savery completed his hat trick as he blasted the puck in the slot, to give the Bruins their first lead of the game when it mattered most, sealing a 5-4 win.

On Sunday afternoon in Port Perry, Cooper and Michael Rennie gave Uxbridge a 2-0 first period lead, before the MoJacks fought back with two in the second, to take a 2-2 tie into the final frame.

The third period saw captain Reilly rise to the occasion, with a pair of goals, as Uxbridge doubled up Port Perry 4-2.

Bear Necessities:
The Bruins wrap up the home portion of the regular season schedule, on Friday, February 8th, at 7:45 p.m., at the Bear Den, looking to dethrone the North Kawartha Knights.

On Sunday afternoon, the regular season wraps up for the Bruins with a 3:30 p.m. matinee match-up in Sutton, against the Georgina Ice.