by Mark McKenzie

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Blue Jay Boys Hockey heads into the Christmas break on a high note after defeating Bottineau/Rugby 3-2 Monday night at Wilson Arena.

Casey Freeman gave the Braves (2-7-0-0, 1-6-0-0 WDA) an early lead with a wrist shot at 4:08 of period one. The Jays (4-2-0-0, 4-1-0-0) answered when Max Whitman banged home his first goal of the season at the 6:22 mark, with assists to Brady Nenow and Gavin Schafer.

Gavin Bartsch gave the Braves the lead back on a wraparound, his eighth of the season, with 4:36 reaming in the period.

John Belzer knotted the score with only nine seconds left in the opening period, his third of the season. Assists went to Bennett Goehner and sophomore Parker Roelfsema.

The two teams traded chances in period two and finally Jamestown got the go-ahead goal and the game winner from Goehner when he scored his third of the season off a turnover with only four seconds left on the clock. Whitman and Roelfsema picked up assists.

The Braves pressured early in period three but junior goalie Leif Hanson turned away some quality chances and the Jays held on for their third win in a row.

Hanson finished with 19 saves, including eight in period three. Jamestown outshot B/R 37-21.

The Blue Jays have a holiday break and won’t get back on the ice until January 3rd with a home date with Williston.