Despite defensive breakdowns in the third period of Friday's game against the Melfort Mustangs, the Red Wings extended their home-undefeated streak to nine games with an 8-5 win.

The win also extended a six-game winning streak which started on Oct. 29 against the La Ronge Ice Dogs.

Having fired coach Terry Matheson on Nov. 9, Melfort hoped to establish a new momentum for interim coach Blaine Fennell.

Momentum was in Melfort's favour early in the game. Seven minutes into the first period, the Mustangs capitalized on a Red Wing giveaway in behind the net.

Kerry Nice picked up the loose puck and put it behind Red Wing goaltender Mark Taylor for the game's first goal.

Weyburn responded to that error with an offensive explosion, scoring four straight goals.

"Our first period was quite good," said McMillan. "Our guys just wanted to play well at home."

A penalty shot was awarded midway through the first period when Melfort's Don Sauter was tackled from behind on a breakaway by James Laux. But, Sauter was unable to capitalize on his opportunity as Taylor stopped his shot to the blocker side.

Both teams filled the penalty boxes in the second half of the roughly-played first period. Late in the first and well after the whistle blew, Sergei Sinicin was cross-checked in the back of the neck by Melfort's Derek Brandon. The Wings' fans choked with emotion as Sinicin lay on the ice writhing in pain for over two minutes. Showing true grit, after being helped to his feet by the Wing trainers, the determined defenseman finished the game. Later Sinicin pumped in a revenge marker.

"It was a chippier hockey game," said McMillan.

As Sinicin writhed about the ice, the Mustang's Brandon fought Emery Olaufson, stepping in to defend Sinicin and in vengeance of the cheap shot.

"It was just a cross check," Sinicin later said of the incident. "Sometimes there are people who play dirty to get others off their game."

Brandon received a match penalty for his infractions and was thrown out of the game.

"I thought we were undisciplined tonight and it hurt us," said Melfort Mustang captain Gaetan Benoit.

In the second period, Weyburn's Jeff Taylor scored a power-play goal from Hay and Weisgerber. Later that period, Taylor limping heavily, walking with the aid of two Red Wing trainers to the Red Wing dressing room. Sinicin, showing no ill-effects from his first period injury, scored a short-handed goal on a pass from David Lapierre.

"We needed to tighten up on defence tonight," Benoit said.

The Wings started the third period with a 6-2 lead, and thought they would skate to an easy victory. But by the midway mark of the final frame through mental and team defensive breakdowns, Weyburn's lead was cut to 7-5.

"We did a character check during the intermission," said interim Melfort Mustang coach Blaine Fennell. "We showed some good character in the third period and fought back right to the end."

But the wind fell from the Mustang sails when Peter Hay made the game 8-5. Hay's marker being an unassisted power-play goal, scored on a wrap-around from behind the net.

Despite getting two more power plays, Melfort could not capitalize on their chances to score.

"I thought we played pretty well when we were five-on-five," said Fennell. "We made too many mistakes tonight on special teams. Against a good team like Weyburn, you can't do that."

Melfort gave up five power-play goals and a short-handed marker. Weyburn's Peter Hay and Mike Weisgerber each scored four points, Sinicin contributed with two goals and an assist.

"We should have tightened up more on defence," said Benoit. "Anytime you score five goals, you should win the game."

More Red Wings joined the ranks of the walking wounded this week.

Aside from Christian Cote who did not play on Friday due to a bruised thigh, Greg Garner and Ryan Eberhardt did not dress, and Mike Weisgerber is playing hurt.

"We are pretty banged up," said McMillan. "I think our conditioning was a factor in the third period."

The Red Wings play four games over the next six days, starting at home on Thursday against the Flin Flon Bombers.

"That will be a tough one for us," said McMillan. "Flin Flon's first line, with Mike Reagan and Jason Burke is a fast line who can score goals in a hurry."

To beat Flin Flon and Melville, McMillan said the team will need to play tough hockey and get solid goaltending.

Their next two games are on the road, with games in Melville on Friday and rival Estevan on Sunday.

"Melville has four solid lines and outstanding goaltending," said McMillan. "They will be tough to beat in their building."

The Red Wings also host the Yorkton Terriers at the Colosseum on Tuesday, Nov. 23, starting at 7:30 p.m.