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ESTEVAN - Kade Runke became a very popular person in Estevan on Saturday night. 

The Estevan Bruins’ winger had four goals and an assist in the Bruins’ 10-0 romp over the Weyburn Red Wings at Affinity Place. 

As part of a long-standing promotion between the Bruins and the Tower Café, everybody in attendance wins a free eight-inch pizza from the Tower if a Bruin player has a four-goal game. And with an announced crowd of 2,370, by far the largest of the season in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, that meant a lot of free pizzas. 

“It felt really good to get that final fourth one and feed the rink. I know it’s been a while since the last time,” said Runke, who cites meat lovers as his favourite pizza.  

Runke became the first Bruin to have four in a home game and trigger the pizza giveaway since Matt McNeil in the 2016-17 season. 

It was also the first time the Bruins have scored 10 in a game since a 10-2 victory at the Melville Millionaires on Oct. 9, 2019. 

Runke opened the scoring 3:44 into the game, and Eric Houk doubled the lead with 1:40 to play in the first period. 

It remained relatively close until Runke scored again 8:26 into the middle frame. Damon Byers notched his first as a Bruin eight seconds later. Dayton Deics and Eric Pearce scored before the end of the period. 

Runke added his third of the game 8:20 into the third, ensuring some fans would go home really happy, because a hat trick means a free pizza for everyone in a section. Fans eagerly anticipated one more Runke tally. He was double-shifted and scored the pizza goal with 2:36 to play.  

 “When I got the third one, I was just getting a lot of ice time, and trying to get that fourth one, and it finally came,” said Runke. 

Runke celebrated rather exuberantly after notching his fourth.

Head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic Tatarnic said it was a great play by Pearce to find Runke for the fourth goal. 

“Everyone came together and tried to help him get that goal. So good on the guys, and free pizza,” Tatarnic said excitedly.  

Kian Calder and Brandon Ambrozik scored for Estevan between Runke’s third and fourth markers. 

Cam Hrdlicka made 18 saves for Estevan to get the shutout. 

Tatarnic praised the recently formed line of Runke, Houk and Cody Davis for their play.

“We just put them together lately because … of (Jamie) Valentino missing some games. They’ve been great, and work hard even when Valentino’s there. All four players work hard and get some great chances,” Tatarnic said.

It was also great to play in front of a crowd of that size.

“It’s unbelievable to see a big crowd like that again, and see people get out and enjoy our country’s pastime, and they got to see a pretty good show tonight offensively. I hope to see those people come back and see more people.” 

Saturday’s game was the Bruins’ second straight shutout win over Weyburn. On Friday night, they blanked the Wings 4-0 in Weyburn. Mark Rumsey scored twice, and Houk and Davis also had goals.  

Boston Bilous made 20 saves for the shutout. Fourteen of the saves came in the first period.  

The game was called with 84 seconds to play in the third period. Bruin defenceman Alex Von Sprecken was checked from behind by Weyburn’s Simon Pollock. The two fought, and Von Sprecken knocked Pollock out. 

Pollock was taken to hospital due to the injuries he sustained. The Weyburn Red Wings said in a post to their Twitter feed that Pollock was doing well.  

Other skirmishes also broke out on the ice.