ESTEVAN - The Estevan Eclipse Downhole Solutions U18 AAA Bears once again put a scare into a strong opponent, but came up short in a 7-4 loss to the Notre Dame Hounds Sunday afternoon at Affinity Place.
Carter Onrait and Kole Keen scored to give Estevan a 2-0 lead in the first period, but Notre Dame scored once before the frame was up.
The teams traded goals early in the second, with Marshall Light and Tucker Buhay scoring to give Estevan a 4-2 lead, but Notre Dame tallied twice before the period was out to tie the game, and then the Hounds added three in the third.
Van Eger had two goals and an assist, including Notre Dame’s fourth goal late in the second.
Jackson Miller had 34 saves for Estevan.
The game was the Bears (5-10-4) last on home ice before the Christmas break. Their next 11 games will be on the road, starting with games at the Battlefords Sharks on Nov. 19 and 20.
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The Estevan Apex U18 AA Bruins picked up another win Sunday, defeating the Regina Rangers 3-2 at Affinity Place.
Kaden Chrest scored the winning goal with four seconds to play.
The two teams were tied at 1-1 after the first period, with Turner Knockaert scoring for Estevan, and the Rangers led 2-1 through two.
Mason Fichter had a goal for Estevan early in the third to tie the game.
Ty Fehrenbach made 29 saves for the win.
The U18 AA Bruins (13-1-0-1) will visit the Prairie Storm on Nov. 22 in Emerald Park.
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The Estevan Meter U13 AA Bruins split their games during the past week.
Estevan played their first league game in a few weeks when they defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 5-2 last Wednesday.
Moose Jaw led 2-0 after the first period, but Estevan stormed back with five goals in 11 1/2 minutes in the middle frame. Cameron Milbrandt and Jayden Chernoff scored to tie the game, and then Nathan Gardiner scored three times in less than a minute to build the three-goal lead. Gardiner also had two assists.
Myles Lequyer had 21 saves to get the win.
Estevan then lost 7-1 to the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday – their first loss in league play this season. Boston Tait had the Bruins lone goal, and according to the box score, it came with one second remaining in the third period to spoil the shutout for the Swift Current goaltender.
Easton Pushie made 18 saves for Estevan.
Estevan and Swift Current were to meet on Saturday, but the game was postponed.
The U13 Bruins (5-1) next game will be Nov. 19 when they visit the Weyburn Wings.