The Estevan TS&M Bruins had one of their best weekends in a while in bantam AA play, picking up one win and coming close to grabbing another.
The Bruins (3-12-2), who are last in the Â鶹´«Ã½AV Division of the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League, narrowly lost 4-3 to the Regina Oilers on Saturday and followed that up with an 8-5 win over the Prince Albert Raiders on Sunday.
Both games were at Spectra Place.
"That was our first win in that building," said Bruins assistant coach Brad Pierson. "It was a big relief for the kids. They finally saw some benefit. I think we deserve a better fate than our record actually shows."
On Sunday, the Bruins fell behind 2-1 after the first period, but they rebounded to tie it 4-4 after the second and exploded for four goals in the third, including two in the final minute of regulation.
"I think we echoed a bit of what we did on Saturday," said Pierson. "We were happy with our effort Saturday and we finally got a bit of payoff (Sunday) with the puck going in for us. We took advantage of some power play opportunities, which haven't been our strength."
Cale Fleury had the Bruins' lone goal in the first period, coming in the last minute. Matthew Campese - with his first of four goals - and Loch Morrison replied for the Raiders.
Tanner Jeannot and Kyle Salaway scored less than four minutes apart midway through the second period to put the Bruins on top, but Campese would score twice later in the period.
Salaway's second goal with less than four minutes remaining gave the Bruins a tie heading into the third. Marc Shaw restored their lead at the 8:49 mark, and Bryson Mayer added an insurance goal with four minutes left. Campese would score again with 2:36 left to claw the Raiders within one, but goals from Tyran Brown and Kyle Sargent in the final minute of regulation sealed the win for Estevan.
Pierson said the Bruins had focused on being disciplined and it paid off in the Prince Albert game.
"When we did take penalties, our penalty kill was very strong, so that was a huge part. We got some goals from guys who got their first of the year and some guys who maybe aren't usually on the scoresheet."
Cameron Lavoie was in goal for the Bruins.
On Saturday, Estevan played the Oilers to a scoreless draw through 20 minutes, but they would surrender three goals in the first five minutes of the second to break the game open.
Conner Chaulk, Owen Sillinger and Mike Eskra scored for Regina in a span of 3:48.
"We kept pushing forward. I think we had a bit of a stall when guys felt a bit defeated, but we did push back pretty hard," Pierson said.
The Bruins would get a goal back at the eight-minute mark when Salaway scored on a glove-side rebound.
Estevan got a lengthy two-man advantage near the midpoint of the third and capitalized just before it expired when Talys Halabuza knocked in a rebound from the right side.
The Oilers began to put on heavy pressure and just when it looked like Bruins goalie Carter Phair would hold them off with some big stops, Caleb Griffin scored on a rebound with 4:43 left.
Jeannot made it a one-goal game again with 9.9 seconds left when Oilers goalie Matt Rainville was caught out of his net, but it was too late.
"I was not disappointed in our effort at all Saturday. We significantly outshot them, we played exceptionally disciplined - any time your team takes (only) five minors, you have to be exceptionally happy with it. It just got back to one of our Achilles heels all year - when we have the opportunity to bury the puck, we haven't done it," said Pierson.
The Bruins will visit second-place Weyburn on Friday before returning home to host Moose Jaw on Saturday and the Notre Dame Hounds on Sunday. Those games, both at Spectra Place, begin at 1 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., respectively. Sunday's game is an exhibition contest.
"We know we have the potential to compete with the top teams in the league, even though our record wouldn't indicate it, so I'm excited to go into Weyburn on Friday," Pierson said.
