The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings split their games on the weekend against the Estevan Bruins, remaining undefeated in regulation in the preseason. After picking up a 1-0 shutout Friday night in Estevan, the Wings would fall 3-2 in overtime to the Bruins Saturday night in front of a large and boisterous crowd at Crescent Point Place.
Friday night's game could best be described as playoff hockey in the preseason. The play was tight-checking with both sides fighting to limit quality scoring chances. The Red Wings, though, would be the ones to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net.
Brad Banach scored his third of the preseason at the 8:58 mark in what would hold as the only goal of the game. Elijah Anderson had the assist on the goal.
At the other end, Dazza Mitchell turned aside all 33 shots he faced to earn the shutout, while his counterpart, Cam Hrdlicka, would stop 23 of 24.
The next night, the two teams met in Weyburn, and again the Red Wings would be the first to score.
Sebastien Hicks would find the back of the net 5:28 into the game. His first of the preseason was assisted by Wyatt LaCoste, who notched his first point of the preseason as well.
Then, 9:11 into the second period, Jackson Foster would score to make it 2-0 Weyburn. His goal was assisted by Jacob Visentini.
Then, Estevan came back with clutch goals. The first was with 0.4 seconds remaining in the second period. Mark Corbett would get the puck past Ryan Piekarski to make it 2-1. Then, with their net empty for the extra attacker, and Weyburn short-handed, Jesse Ivanovic would tally for the Bruins to make it a 2-2 game, forcing overtime.
In the 3-on-3 extra period, Garett Zasitko would be the one to break the tie, scoring 2:04 in to give the Bruins a 3-2 victory.
The Red Wings will now have a few days to prepare for their next preseason game. They host the Yorkton Terriers Wednesday night at Crescent Point Place. They close out the preseason Friday when the Notre Dame Hounds are in town.
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