The Estevan Eclipse Downhole Solutions U18 AAA Bears picked up three of a possible six points in their latest three-day road trip, and they finished the excursion in style.
The Bears defeated the Saskatoon Contacts 4-1 Sunday afternoon in Saskatoon. Tucker Buhay opened the scoring 1:38 into the first period with a short-handed goal, and Boston Harkness doubled the advantage with a power play goal in the second.
The Contacts would get one before the period was over, but then Carter Onrait and Carson Birnie scored less than three minutes apart in the third to clinch the victory. Onrait’s goal was also a short-handed marker.
Jackson Miller made 28 saves in the win, which ended a six-game losing streak.
Earlier in the trip, the Bears lost 3-2 to the league-leading Warman Wildcats, a game the Bears led 2-0 after the first period. Daniel Ganert scored 58 seconds into the game and Birnie also scored. The Wildcats scored the final two goals with less than six minutes to play in the third.
Kaden Perron made 28 saves in the loss.
Estevan lost 2-1 in overtime to the Saskatoon Blazers on Friday night. Onrait opened the scoring with 12:01 to play in the third, but Saskatoon tied the game a few minutes later and added the winner with 2:40 remaining in overtime.
Miller stopped 42 shots for Estevan.
The Bears (6-14-0-5) will visit the Yorkton Terriers on Dec. 10 and 11.
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The Estevan Apex U18 AA Bruins split their weekend games with the host Regina Capitals, in a clash between two of the top teams in the Saskatchewan AA Hockey League’s U18 division.
Regina defeated Estevan 5-2 Saturday night. James Mann opened the scoring for Estevan 3:37 into the first period, but Regina notched the next three goals.
Mann scored again early in the third to pull Estevan to within one, but Regina would get two more before the game was finished.
Keagan Carley made 30 saves for Estevan.
Estevan won 6-3 the following day, handing the Capitals their first regulation loss of the season.
Regina had a 2-0 lead early in the second, but goals by Mason Fichter and Mann tied the game at 2-2 before the end of the frame.
Estevan took over in the third, with goals by Kaden Chrest, Declyn Henderson and two more by Mann, all within the opening 10 minutes of the period, for a 6-2 Estevan advantage. Regina didn’t respond until the final minute of the period.
Ty Fehrenbach stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced.
The Apex Bruins will visit the Swift Current Broncos on Dec. 10 and 11, and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Dec. 12.
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The Estevan Meter U13 AA Bruins defeated the Weyburn Wings 9-6 last Wednesday at a neutral site game in Alameda.
Weyburn led 2-1 after the first period, but Estevan fought back to lead 6-4 through two. The Bruins would need two empty net goals late to salt the game away.
Nathan Gardiner had four goals and an assist to pace the Estevan attack. Kyson Dangstorp, Ryden Summers, Riley Gigian, Cameron Milbrandt and Austin Merkley had the other Estevan goals.
Jayden Chernoff assisted on four of Estevan’s goals.
Myles Lequyer made 20 saves in goal for the Bruins.
The Bruins (7-2) will visit the Yorkton Terriers on Dec. 11 and 12.
