The Estevan Apex Bruins faced both Notre Dame midget AA teams on the weekend, with mixed results.
The Bruins defeated the Hounds on Saturday in Wilcox, then lost 3-1 to the Argos the next day at Affinity Place.
The Argos scored a goal in each period in Sunday's game. Bruins head coach Dalton Giblett said defensive issues were a major factor in the defeat.
"The biggest thing is we had a few breakdowns, odd-man rushes and we never even gained their zone. Also, coming back in our end, just being lazy and not coming back all the way. That was their third goal and their second goal. We never picked up the backchecker and boom, it was in our net."
Mitchell Finnson got the Argos on the board only 49 seconds into the game and that lead held after 20 minutes.
Estevan (2-1-1) tied it at 2:31 of the second when Kaelan Holt scored his fifth of the year, beating sprawled out goaltender Scott Kasaboski on a rebound in front of the net.
Notre Dame would reclaim the lead before the end of the period though, with Daniel Watson scoring five minutes later.
Matt Barry added some insurance for the Argos midway through the third.
Giblett said his team had trouble sustaining pressure in the offensive zone.
"We had a couple of shifts there where half of the shift we'd keep the pressure on and then you get back, change the lines and we couldn't keep it going.
"Their D played well. They moved the puck back and forth pretty good and caught us out of position. We over-pursued a couple of times. We're just kinda heads down, still learning."
Giblett said captain Blaine Herzberg was the Bruins' top player on Sunday, with Holt and defenceman Kale Little also standing out.
"He was in there forechecking, causing turnovers, making plays with the puck. He led by example, which was really good," he said of Herzberg.
In Wilcox, meanwhile, the Bruins engineered a third-period comeback that saw them pile up four unanswered goals after trailing 2-0 after two.
Kyle Salaway scored his first of two goals on a power play three minutes into the period, followed by another power play goal by Peyton Stevenson at the 12-minute mark to tie it.
Salaway found the back of the net again with 3:36 to go, and Colton Winton would complete the scoring summary 21 seconds later.
The Bruins were actually outshot 14-10 in the period, but outshot the Hounds 34-22 in the game, failing to score on 24 shots in the first two periods.
Kirill Klassen got things rolling for the Hounds five minutes into the game. Ryley Bechard scored their other goal with 2:39 to play in the second period.
The Bruins are back at home for two games this weekend. They host the Prairie Storm on Friday at 8 p.m., then face the Regina Wild on Saturday at the same time. Both games are at Affinity Place.
