The Estevan Meter peewee AA Bruins saw their season come to an end in heartbreaking fashion Saturday in a 3-2 double overtime loss to the host Weyburn Wings.
After a scoreless opening frame, goals by Carter Onrait and Chase Robertson gave the peewee Bruins a 2-0 lead in the second period. Weyburn pulled to within one when they scored with 16 seconds to play in the second, and then tied the game eight minutes into the third.
After a scoreless 10-minute overtime period, the two teams returned for a 20-minute extra frame, and the Wings scored midway through the stanza to win the series.
Ryder Davidson was in goal for Estevan.
Coach Aren Miller said the league was very tight this year, and it showed in their 2-2-1 mark in their season series with Weyburn.
“I thought we could have won both games, and in the end we didn’t play quite good enough to win,” said Miller. “It just came down to a little break here and there.”
The peewee AAs beat every team in the league this year, but they also lost to each team in the league.
Miller said the peewees learned what it takes to play at the AA level this season.
“I think the biggest thing we tried getting through, especially early on in the year, is what it takes to compete at this level,” said Miller.
He noted that the team is comprised of kids who have been competing against each other for their first few years of minor hockey, and now they had to gel as teammates.
The peewee AA Bruins had just one player back from last year’s team, but the bulk of the team was in their second year of peewee hockey. Only two players will be eligible to return next year.
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The Estevan TS&M bantam AA Bruins split their games in northern Saskatchewan on the weekend, defeating the Humboldt Broncos 5-4 in overtime on Saturday, but losing 5-1 to the North East Wolfpack Sunday in Melfort.
The game in Humboldt was a back and forth contest, with four lead changes. Estevan had the lead late in the third, but Humboldt notched the tying goal with two seconds left in regulation.
James Mann scored the winner 24 seconds into overtime.
Nathan Wagstaff, Kaden Chrest, Carson Birnie and Colby Cuddington had Estevan’s other goals.
Jackson Miller stopped 27 shots to get the victory.
Mason Fichter had Estevan’s lone goal against the Wolfpack.
Joshua Bittman stopped 14 of the 17 shots he faced, and then Miller came on in relief and stopped 15 of 17 shots.
The bantams (17-11-2) will close out the regular season by hosting the Saskatoon Outlaws on Friday at 8 p.m. at Affinity Place, and visiting the Melville Millionaires on Sunday.
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The Estevan Western Star Signature Hotel atom tier I Bruins closed out their regular season with a 3-3 tie against the host Melville Millionaires Sunday.
Melville had a 3-1 lead early in the second period, with Tristan Brownridge scoring the only goal for Estevan. But Broden Henry and Boston Tait scored before the period was out to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the third.
Jaxson Kuchinka was in goal for Estevan.
The atom Bruins (4-11-5) finished third in the South East Minor Hockey League during the regular season. They will face the Swift Current Broncos in the semifinal round.
