The Estevan Sherritt Coal Bruins started on the right foot on Saturday, as the peewee AA team doubled up the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-2 in their season opener.
Jake Palmer (2), Mason Strutt and Josh Romanyk scored for the Bruins, while Connor Large and Reece Newkirk replied for Moose Jaw.
Strutt opened the scoring 13 minutes into the first, with Large countering at the 16:42 mark to tie the game after one period.
It was all Estevan in the second. Palmer restored the lead three minutes in with his first of the night, and Romanyk made it 3-1 with a power play marker at 6:08.
Palmer's second goal came at the 18:52 mark. He also had an assist on the night.
Newkirk scored the lone goal of the third period for Moose Jaw with 2:25 to play.
The Bruins outshot the Warriors 27-22, with goalie Justin Hertes making 20 saves.
New head coach Chad Himmelspeck said he's confident about this year's club.
"We're going to be speedy up front, that's for sure. We're fairly small up front but fast, and our defence is going to be big and strong on the back end," he said.
Himmelspeck said "big things" are expected from returnees Palmer, Strutt, Kersey Reich and Tristan Seeman, while newcomers Romanyk, Cody Davis, Cale Adams and Brennen Stubel will be expected to "compete at this level" as rookies.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure what our competition is going to be like, but I know we will be competitive in every game this year," Himmelspeck said.
The Bruins' home opener is on Saturday against Weyburn. Puck drop is at 2:45 p.m. at Affinity Place.
