It was certainly a valiant effort. The Border Bruins threw every thing they could at the division-leading Nelson Leafs in a home and home series that would be their last kick at the play-off can.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as the Leafs showed why they are in first place taking both games by a combined three goals.
GF has gone 0 for 6 in February with six straight losses. After a very promising start, the Bruins will once again watch the play-offs from the sidelines as the team has been officially eliminated.
On Saturday at home at the Jack Goddard Memorial Arena, the Bruins struggled early with penalties and turnovers in their own end as they fell behind 3-1 after one period and 6-2 at one point in the second.
The Bears mounted a furious comeback at that point with a goal from Connor Gross at 7:18 of the second, assisted by Dakota Kittle and Jackson Purvis.
The third period was all all Grand Forks as the home team scored twice (Coleton Dawson and Tucker Brown) to cut the Leaf lead to 6-5, but, unfortunately, the Bruins couldn’t get the tying goal and fell.
Team captain Purvis led the Bruins in scoring with a goal and two assists. Brown added a pair of goals with Gross had a goal and an assist.
Friday’s game in Nelson had a similar story arc as Saturday with the Bruins going down 3-1 after one period and 6-2 after two.
The Bruins scored two third period power play goals (Gross and Max Newton) to cut the Leaf lead to 6-4 but couldn’t get any closer.
Scoring for the Leafs were the end of the alphabet boys Travis Wellman with a hat-trick, Carson Willans with a pair and Jamie Vlanich with a single.
Also scoring for GF were Gross, who ended up with a pair, and Michael Rand.
The Bruins play Spokane today (Sunday) at 2 p.m.
