The Estevan Bruins would score three goals in the third period to stun a raucous crowd at Crescent Point Place Saturday, as the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings fell at home 5-2.
"We weren't sharp this weekend," said Red Wings head coach Cody Mapes after the game. "Having the team separated for a week, it's a funny week of practice and stuff like that. At the end of the day, we got a split. It is what it is. We'll move forward and be better for it tomorrow."
The Bruins, who were topped 3-2 in overtime Friday night, opened the scoring in Weyburn 5:02 into the game, as Kanye Huang got the puck past Angelo Zol. The Red Wings would respond, though, before the period was out.
Jerome Maharaj would take a feed from defenseman Luke Schraeder with 4:36 left on the clock in the opening frame, and he buried his 12th of the season past Estevan netminder Zach Shaughnessy to make it 1-1.
In the second period, the Bruins would regain the momentum 16 seconds in as Rorey Elson scored. Then, 8:30 into the period Kent Moors would make it 3-1 for Estevan.
The Red Wings answered back just past the halfway mark of the second. Jaxson Ruthven's 22nd of the campaign came on the power play, with Maharaj and Chakrabarti assisting on the tally.
The Bruins would restore the two-goal lead before the end of the period, though, as Hayden Pimm scored with 4:24 to play making it 4-2.
Weyburn had the majority of the chances in the third period but was unable to beat Shaughnessy. The only goal that came in the period was late in the frame, as Luke Hogan scored an empty net goal.
Despite the loss, the Red Wings still hold first in the Viterra Division over the Yorkton Terriers and are six points back of the Flin Flon Bombers for second overall.
Weyburn will be looking to make up some ground as they get set for a stretch of five games against teams from the Sherwood Division, all on the road. The first will be this coming Wednesday, as they take on the Mustangs in Melfort. They then head to La Ronge for back-to-back games against the Ice Wolves.
Then, February 13th has the Wings back in Melfort, and they play the Nipawin Hawks in Nipawin on February 14th. The next home game is February 17th - a matinee affair against the Bruins.