The Estevan TS&M bantam AA Bruins concluded the regular season with two straight road losses against the Regina Pat Blues and the Weyburn Crescent Point Wings.
The Bruins lost to Regina 5-4 in a close contest on Feb. 15 and suffered a 4-3 defeat to Weyburn on Feb 10.
In the game against Regina, Estevan opened up the scoring with a goal from Carson Benning, which was assisted by Dalton Schaff. The Blues then responded four minutes later with a goal of their own.
Regina added another goal to go up 2-1.
In the second period, Estevan tied the game as Mason Strutt scored, and Cole Fonstad and Schaff each contributed with an assist. With 8:04 to go in the period the Bruins took the lead when J.D. Gervais netted one past the goaltender. Ryder Pierson and Jake Palmer each earned an assist on the play.
The game was tied again 32 seconds later when Regina responded with a goal of their own. The Blues would go on to score again in the period to take a 4-3 lead.
According to coach Tom Copeland, the Bruins fought back in the last period, but it wasn’t enough as Tristian Seeman scored the lone goal.
Despite the strong start Copeland said that the Bruins’ penalty kill was one of the reasons they struggled throughout the game as it resulted in three goals.
In the game against Weyburn, Hayden Cutler scored with 25 seconds remaining in the first period to give Estevan a 1-0 lead. Kade McMillen and Cole Fonstad had the assists.
In the second period the Bruins would fall 2-1 before a goal from Fonstad tied the game, as Carson Benning collected the assist. The Wings pulled ahead 36 seconds later to conclude the period.
Fifty-seven seconds into the third Fonstad scored for Estevan to tie the game, as Trey Stocker was credited with the assist. Weyburn scored later in the period to go on to win the game.
Copeland said that the goaltending wasn’t as strong as it has been in previous games, but said that Weyburn just had more energy than they did.
The Bruins finished the regular season with a 16-15 record, which earned them a first round bye in the playoffs.
They will play the Regina Pat Blues and Copeland said that the bye week will help them fix the mistakes they made during their latest game.
