REGINA - The Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears moved one point closer to a playoff spot with a 6-5 shootout loss to the host Regina Pat Canadians on Wednesday night.
Estevan had a 5-3 lead after two periods, but Regina fought back with two in the third and the only goal in the shootout.
Marc Belanger scored twice for Estevan, while Evhan Allan, Talen Wallis and Gunner Moore also scored. Allan added two assists for a three-point game.
Wallis, Belanger and Moore scored in a 5 1/2-minute span of the second period.
Kaden Perron stopped 42 of the 47 shots he faced for the Bears. Nineteen of his saves were in the third period, and six more came in overtime.
Estevan (17-17-6) sits seventh in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League's overall standings. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
The Bears will play their biggest home games in franchise history this coming weekend when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 1:45 p.m.
Estevan has 40 points with four games remaining. Moose Jaw (18-19-3) is one point back and also has four games to play. The ninth-place Saskatoon Contacts (17-20-4) have 38 points and three games to play. The Battlefords Stars (17-24-1, 35 points, 10th place) have a mathematical chance at making the playoffs, too.
