While Friday night's game between the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings and Estevan Bruins would have little impact on the standings, there would be a lot in the way of pride on the line. A single point would give Weyburn the Highway 39 Cup, while the Bruins were looking to get a win to help their efforts to recapture the trophy.
The Red Wings would be the first to get on the board when Josh Sale scored 3:07 into the game. The goal, his 12th of the campaign, was assisted by Ethan Dekay and Cyprus Smith-Davis.
The Bruins responded before the end of the period, though, when Carter Onrait was spring on a breakaway and he was able to get the puck past Preston Patenaude to even the game up 1-1.
In the second period the Bruins would jump out into the lead when Rorey Elson took advantage of an awkward bounce off the boards that caught Patenaude out of the crease, and he was able to tuck the puck into the empty net 2:28 into the frame.
Then, Estevan would add to the lead moments later when Hayden Pimm took advantage of a scramble in front of the Weyburn net, sliding the puck in to make it 3-1 3:14 into the period.
The Bruins would add to their lead just over four minutes later when Rylan Ringor scored to make it 4-1.
Weyburn wouldn't be able to respond until the third period, though, when Braigh LeGrandeur scored his 13th of the season. The goal at 8:39 was assisted by Blake Betson and Wyatt LaCoste.
The Red Wings threw everything they could at the Estevan net in the dying moments of the game, but Bruins netminder Zach Shaughnessy would prevent any more goals from Weyburn to preserve the win.
The two teams will now head to Estevan for the final game of the regular season tomorrow night. The Red Wings know how important the game is, even though it won't have any bearing on the final standings.
"I think we know what's at stake," Sale said after the game. "They're a rival team, and the Highway 39 Cup is on the line, so we just got to be prepared to play."
"I think it'll be a big game, kind of set a tone for going into the playoffs," added Patenaude.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Affinity Place. You can catch all the action on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7. Dylan Fiessel will have the call starting with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.