The Weyburn Red Wings took two of three games this week including a 2-1 shootout win over the Estevan Bruins on Saturday.

Estevan opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from Adam Saunders. But after the midway mark of the first period, the only thing crossing the goal lines was the Zamboni resurfacing the ice during the intermissions.

That is until Mike Costley tied the game up midway through the first period on a passing play from Mike Weisgerber and Peter Hay.

Weyburn's defence tightened for the remainder of the period. As most of the play was in the neutral zone, only 11 shots combined were fired at the goaltenders in the third period.

Overtime did not settle the score, despite Weyburn getting a couple of chances, so the game went to a shootout.

Terry Denike stopped all Estevan shooters to give Weyburn the chance to win. Mike Weisgerber took advantage of that opportunity and scored the game-winning goal, netting the Red Wings a 2-1 win against the Bruins.

"The biggest factor in this game was our goaltender Terry Denike," said Mike Weisgerber.

Just before the shootout, Denike told his teammates he would not allow Estevan to win another overtime win.

"I felt responsible for the last two overtime losses to Estevan," said Denike. "I had to prove to the team we could win. To do that, it takes heart."

Of the four games the two clubs have played against each other this year, three of them have required overtime. Estevan won two during the four-on-four overtime.

"This was an exciting game," McMillan said. "We played well on defence but had no jump in the early going. From the final minutes of the second period to the end of the game, we started hitting and taking control of the play."

While Estevan Bruin coach Nick Sereggela agreed the game was exciting, he is no fan of the shootout.

"When you have to decide a game by a shootout, the result is an afterthought," said Sereggela. "It leaves a sour taste in your mouth to decide a game by a shootout, win or lose."

During Friday's game between the Bruins and the Red Wings in Estevan, overtime was not required.

Defence was a premium in the 7-5 Red Wing loss. However, luck favoured the Bruins on their small ice surface.

"They scored three lucky goals from behind our net," McMillan said of the game. "It's tough to win when they are scoring cheap ones. It was just one of those nights."

On Tuesday, the Red Wings travelled to Notre Dame. On the wider international sized ice, the Red Wings skated to a 5-2 win.

Tied at one after one period and leading 4-2 after two, the Red Wings did not allow the Hounds to take advantage of their home surroundings.

"We played a very good game on the road," said MacMillan. "We took advantage of our chances when they came, and checked the Hounds relentlessly. It was just like our game in Melville a couple of weeks ago."

The Red Wings were without Christian Cote, Rhett Ballard and Jeff Taylor this week to various injuries.

Cote has been suffering from a viral infection and has not been skating with the team. Ballard has an inner-ear infection and has also been off the ice for a week. Taylor was cut when his face made contact with his visor and will be back in action this week.

Covering for the injured Wings this week was associate player John Cavanaugh. He played in Saturday's game at home and will be sent back to St. Phillips.

Despite McMillan's reservations with the annual Viking Cup over Christmas, he is pleased Sergei Sinicin was selected to represent the SJHL in Camrose, Alta.

"I felt we could have had more players selected, but the coach selects the team," said McMillan.

This year, Yorkton Terrier head coach Wade Klippenstein will lead the SJHL entry to the four team all-star tournament.

"The guys we send to the Viking Cup usually come back dead tired from working out over Christmas," said McMillan. "The two-week break is supposed to be so players can rest up for the second half of the season."

The Red Wings return to action on Friday, Dec. 10 against the North Battleford Stars. North Battleford currently sits in second spot in the North Division. The La Ronge Ice Wolves will visit the Colosseum on Saturday, Dec. 11. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.