The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins have clinched the Viterra Division title for the third straight season.
The Bruins clinched the division title even before their game at the Weyburn Red Wings was finished. The Melville Millionaires defeated the Yorkton Terriers 6-2 on Friday night, which wrapped up top spot for the Bruins.
The Bruins went on to lose 4-3 in overtime to Weyburn.
Estevan (30-22-3-2) has 65 points, which leaves them six points ahead of the Terriers (29-26-1). Yorkton has two games remaining.
Most of the offence in the Estevan-Weyburn game came in the first 11 minutes. Will Koop opened the scoring for Estevan 66 seconds into the game. But Weyburn tied the game at the 8:39 mark of the first when Ben Hiltz scored, and 16 seconds later, Drew Anderson tallied for Weyburn.
Tyson Manz scored for Estevan at the 10:32 mark of the first to tie the game.
Jacob Piller’s goal 16:33 into the second for Weyburn was the lone goal of the middle frame, and would be the last goal until the final minute of the third, when Koop notched his second of the game.
Hiltz’s second of the game with 1:21 to play in overtime was the game-winner.
Grant Boldt stopped 29 saves in the loss. Weyburn goaltender Cody Levesque made 41 saves in the victory.
The division title means the Bruins will advance directly to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s quarter-final round, and will be the third seed in that round.
The Bruins will close out the regular season Saturday night at Affinity Place against Weyburn. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
