The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings found themselves heading to overtime for the third time this season, and to a shootout for the second, Saturday night against the Estevan Bruins. The Wings would get great goaltending from Dazza Mitchell, and a beautiful shootout goal from Jacob Visentini to lift them to a 2-1 win over their Highway 39 rivals.
With the win Saturday night, their third in a row, the Wings improved to 3-0-1 on the season, and are one of four teams in the SJHL to have yet to lose in regulation. They are also 1st in the Viterra Division, two points up on the Yorkton Terriers. The victory also gives Weyburn a 2-0 edge in the Highway 39 Cup.
The Red Wings would be first on the board early in the game. Jaxon Ruthven, playing his first game as a Red Wing, would find the back of the net behind Cam Hrdlicka with 5:20 to go in the opening frame. His goal was assisted by Braigh LeGrandeur.
From there, the goaltenders took over for much of the game. Mitchell faced 44 shots over the course of the game, with the only blemish coming at the 9:12 mark of the third period. Spencer Copeland managed to beat Mitchell to make it a 1-1 game, which forced overtime.
The Red Wings would find themselves in a few high-pressure situations during the game. In the first period, they killed off 1:26 of a 5-on-3 power play and then played the final 1:51 of the overtime period short-handed. In both instances, the opportunities afforded to the Bruins were limited, and Mitchell made a number of outstanding saves.
The win for the Red Wings was also the first on home ice this season, after they lost in a shootout in the season opener last Friday.
Weyburn will now have a couple of days of practice to gear up for their next game. They will be hosting the Notre Dame Hounds on Tuesday night at Crescent Point Place.
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Cale Nachai scored twice, and William Dyke made 29 saves as the Melville Millionaires picked up the win on home ice against the Battlefords North Stars. With the 3-1 victory, the Millionaires improved to 2-1 on the season.
The Notre Dame Hounds are still looking for their first win of the season after Saturday night. They dropped a 4-2 decision to the Hawks in Nipawin.
It was another high-scoring game between La Ronge and Flin Flon. Jacob Vocklet potted four goals for the Bombers as they picked up a 9-6 win in La Ronge.
The Melfort Mustangs picked up their fourth win in a row, as they topped the Kindersley Klippers 5-3 at home. Wyatt Day scored twice for the Mustangs to help secure the win.