Dylan Smith netted a hat trick, including the winning goal into an empty net, to lead the Estevan Bruins to a 6-5 win over the Melfort Mustangs Friday night at Spectra Place.
The Bruins (14-7) got off to a slow start against the Mustangs (3-15-1-1), the SJHL's worst team, as they trailed 2-1 after the first period.
Curtis Fontaine and Anthony Pickering scored for Melfort in the first, with Calder Neufeld replying for the Bruins.
Pearce Gourley would make it 3-1 Mustangs at the 11:35 mark of the second period, but Estevan goals by Taylor Reich and Dylan Smith just 61 seconds apart tied the game 3-3 late in the frame.
Brendan Tash restored the Melfort lead early in the third, but the Bruins again responded with two quick goals, with Smith and Matt Brykaliuk scoring 47 seconds apart before the period was eight minutes old.
Smith completed the hat trick with an empty-netter with 62 seconds left to make it 6-4. Even then, though, the Mustangs weren't done fighting, as Carter Berg drew them within a goal again with 36 seconds to play.
Shots on goal were 46-28 for the Bruins, who are in Melville Saturday night to take on the Millionaires.
