ESTEVAN - A strong start to the season for the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears has hit a snag, as the team has now lost five straight games.
The Bears suffered three lopsided losses in the past seven days, falling 7-2 Wednesday to the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, and 7-0 Saturday and 7-3 Sunday at the Moose Jaw Warriors.
In Wednesday's game, Talen Wallis scored for the Bears with 23 seconds to play in the second period, and Cameron Allard tallied in the third.
Alexis Lavigne had two goals and two assists for the Hounds.
Cole Ivey and Conner Brady shared the goaltending duties for Estevan.
Saturday's game saw Moose Jaw put the contest away early with three goals in each of the first and second periods.
Ty Fehrenbach made 33 saves for Estevan.
In Sunday's game, the Bears surrendered four unanswered goals in the final 11 minutes of the second period, breaking open a close 2-1 game. Roan Burgess scored in the second period for Estevan, and Kobe Wotta and Cooper Flath tallied in the third.
Cole Ivey stopped 39 shots for Estevan.
The Bears (11-12-3) will host the Saskatoon Contacts on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 1:45 p.m.