For the Weyburn Red Wings and Estevan Bruins, this New Years weekend was not about "old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind."

The two traditional rivals opened the year 2000 with a home-and-home series played on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday's game in Estevan, a 4-2 Weyburn victory, started with the Weyburn bench being doused with drinks from Estevan fans, and a fight between Red Wing Jon Geiring and Estevan's John McCusker.

"It was one of those games where it was only a matter of time before the game became physical." said Red Wing Coach Dwight McMillan. "There was a lot of spearing, a lot of high-sticking and several players were kicked out. It was war out there."

In all, 31 minor penalties, seven majors and three game misconducts and a match penalty were called by referee Greg Litzenberger.

"The referee did a great job for the way the game was played," said Red Wing Mike Weisgerber. "It was like a playoff game where everyone was finishing their checks and having to work for everything they got."

While Weyburn walked out of the Civic Auditorium with the win, they also walked out with multiple injuries to defensemen: James Laux separated his shoulder, Sergei Sinicin injured his knee, and Ryan Eberhardt also injured his knee. To help out the defensive corps, Geiring played with the rest of the blue liners.

"Gering's ability to check makes him valuable on offence and doesn't hurt you on defence," said McMillan. "Without him it would have been tougher to win in Estevan."

Goaltending was also another plus for the Red Wings this past weekend. Terry Denike registered a 4-0 shutout on Saturday in Weyburn.

"Terry is starting to come into his own," said McMillan. "We played him back-to-back in a number of games and he has responded. Terry has strong character and comes to play every day."

The Wings were helped by Saturday's home crowd of 1,200, one of the largest of the season.

"It was a nice crowd," said Weisgerber. "When you step out on the ice and see 1,000 people, it gets you pumped up."

Weyburn will travel to Yorkton for an important divisional matchup against the Terriers on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

"It's a four-point game for us and is important if we are to create a more of a spread between us and Yorkton in the standings," said McMillan.

The red and white return home for a Friday, Jan. 7 game against the Kindersley Klippers.

"They are a tough team who have made trades and have improved," McMillan said. "They have good offensive speed, but I don't think it will be a problem."

On Saturday, Jan. 8, the Red Wings travel to Maple Creek for a neutral site game against the Lebret Eagles.

The game marks a homecoming for Weisgerber, a former Maple Creek resident whose father still teaches there.

"I never thought I'd play a junior A game at home, that's for sure," said Weisgerber. "I have not played there in three years, so it will be nice to play in front of the same people I used to play in front of."

While the Red Wings are officially the road team, Weisgerber said he expects the fans will be supporting the Red Wings.

"It will be a home game on the road," Weisgerber said.