The Estevan Apex Bruins had already dug themselves a hole, and after 20 minutes of play on Friday the hole was too deep to see any daylight.
The midget AA club lost 3-2 to the Notre Dame Argos in Game 2 of their second-round provincial series, losing the series 8-4.
After trailing the two-game, total goal series by three after the first game, the Bruins surrendered three more goals in the first period Friday to fall behind by six.
"I actually didn't think we came out that bad. We came out with a lot of energy and we did dictate quite a bit of the play in the first period," said Apex Bruins head coach Tim Lequyer.
"They got a couple of goals after we had a lot of pressure and that was a little disheartening and kind of deflated the boys. But I actually was pretty happy with our overall game."
Patrick Normandeau got the Argos on the board at 5:39. Nine minutes later, Will Corolis made it 2-0, and Ben Duperreault added another goal late in the period. That was enough to chase Bruins starter Cody Murray in favour of Levi Eiteneier.
"We've been happy with both goaltenders this year. The change at the end of the first period was strictly just to help try and motivate the team," Lequyer said.
The Bruins responded, coming out for the second period and playing 20 minutes of sheer domination.
Estevan spent most of the period in the Notre Dame zone, peppered their net with pressure and got 14 shots on goal.
It resulted in only one goal, when Chase McKersie fired home a loose puck from the slot with 1:16 left in the period.
But Lequyer said he was glad his team didn't give up with an almost insurmountable deficit in front of them.
"We had dug ourselves a pretty good hole and it showed a little bit of character with the kids keeping going right to the end and trying to win the game."
Ryan Frehlick would make it a one-goal game early in the third on a shot from the right faceoff circle.
Lequyer said the early exit from provincials is disheartening, but it's another reminder of the parity in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League, where the Argos sat four points behind the Bruins heading into the weekend.
"We wanted to make it to the south final, so it's a little bit disheartening.
"The top eight teams in our league, I think anybody can beat anybody. It says a lot for the calibre of the league. I'm not really surprised by it."
Following the provincial loss, the Bruins (17-9-5) rebounded to win their two regular season games on the weekend.
On Saturday, they hammered the visiting Yorkton Terriers 9-2 at Spectra Place.
The Bruins led 4-1 after the first and never looked back.
Brad Tomiski and Dylan Herzberg led the Estevan effort with two goals apiece. Kaelum Bieber, Frehlick, Zach Paxman, McKersie and Garett Earl had the other Bruin goals, while Frehlick, Tomiski and McKersie each added two assists. Adam McCannell and Tyler Shumay scored for Yorkton.
On Sunday, the Bruins travelled to Melville and returned with a 6-1 win over the Millionaires. Estevan led 2-1 after the first period and extended their lead to 4-1 after two.
Tomiski led the way with two goals, with Dylan Lamontagne, Herzberg, Steven Henderson and Paxman adding singles.
Bieber and Frehlick each chipped in two helpers. Tristan Keshane had the lone goal for the Millionaires.
The Bruins hosted the Weyburn Wings last night and are off this weekend.
