It wasn't the most satisfying effort against a weak team, but the Estevan Apex Bruins started 2014 on the right note on Saturday, defeating the Weyburn Wings 3-1 at Affinity Place.
The midget AA club fired more than 50 shots at Wings netminder Chantz Vinck.
"It was a better effort, but I still don't think we're where we need to be," said Bruins head coach Dalton Giblett. "We're a better team than what we showed here today."
The Bruins also played Monday night, falling 6-5 to the Regina Flames in the capital city.
Kale Little (2), Kaelan Holt, Bailey Lonsberry and Dayton Westerman scored for Estevan.
Although the Bruins (11-7-3) dominated the play for much of the game on Saturday, that didn't translate into a lot of goals.
"I was hoping for more goals. I think we were running out of legs. We were tired," Giblett said. "We've been on the ice over the break here a little bit, but it showed today we were tired. You can skate all you want but game shape is something else."
Following a scoreless first, Estevan's Kolten Ganson broke the goose egg on a power play eight minutes into the second, pounding home a one-timer in the slot.
The Bruins extended their lead five minutes into the third on another power play, with Ryley Giblett putting his own rebound over Vinck's glove from the side of the net.
The Wings got on the board midway through the period, with Brandt Hudson scoring on a partial breakaway.
Holt gave his team some insurance while shorthanded with two minutes left with an impressive effort, tucking the puck in stick side.
"He had a good game. Toward the end of the game I thought he was getting tired and he didn't have the jump he normally does, but then he goes and scores that goal," Giblett said. "That's Kaelan Holt. You get a good effort out of him all the time."
Although they scored two power play goals on seven opportunities, Giblett said there's work to be done on the team's play with the man advantage.
"The main thing we have to improve on is our power play."
The Bruins are back at home this weekend. They host the Melville Millionaires on Friday at 8 p.m. and have the Notre Dame bantam Hounds at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Both games are at Affinity Place.
Meanwhile, the Bruins' first-round provincial series against the Notre Dame Argos is set. The opener is Jan. 15 in Estevan, with an 8 p.m. start time. The second game of the total-goal series is Jan. 19 in Wilcox.
