In their first week away from the Colosseum this season, the Weyburn Red Wings were again at the mercy of growing pains, recording losses over the Thanksgiving weekend against Melville and Yorkton.

Coach Dwight McMillan said the Red Wings are not only still learning to play as a team, but also to play with confidence; with many of his players being new to the team, they have to learn to overcome the "fear factor" of making mistakes and letting it affect their game.

"You've got to learn how to win," said McMillan.

But the Red Wings' coach was quick to agree that a strong core of players is beginning to emerge amongst his players. "I see signs of progress," he said.

The Red Wings gave up their first loss on Friday against Melville, whom they defeated earlier in the season for their only victory thus far. The Wings started off with an early lead, as goals were scored in within the first few minutes by Brett Burns, assisted by Luke Zbaraschuk and Brett Cross, and by Curtis Corbett, assisted by Reagan Rome and Matt Bothwell.

Melville gained a slight advantage in the second, but Weyburn tied the score again with goals from Nathan Ward, assisted by Rome and Jeff Cameron, and from Cross, also assisted by Cameron.

But the Millionaires, also struggling with as-yet inexperienced players, proved to be strong opponents on their home ice, and outdistanced Weyburn with two goals in the third.

The game ended 6-4 for Melville.

The Red Wings then went up against the Yorkton Terriers, who handed them a pair of defeats to begin the regular season. McMillan said checking got close towards the end of the game, and several strong players were taken out in the second period by penalties.

Also, said McMillan, about seven or eight of his players have been hindered by injuries, and he was forced to put some of those players on the ice on Sunday. "You've got to dress somebody," he said.

Yorkton scored a single goal in the first, followed by three in the second. Weyburn's shots on goal declined considerably from the first period, but Nathan Ward was able to score a goal in the second from a pass by Andrew Katzberg.

From there, Weyburn's offense was only able to put in three shots on goal in the third, and Yorkton scored one more goal to cement their victory at 5-1.

The Red Wings will now take a break from traveling and give fans three home games this week. All three will be against opponents Weyburn hasn't played yet this season: the first game is against the LaRonge Ice Wolves on Friday, Oct. 12, followed by a game against Flin Flon on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Another game will be played on Tuesday, Oct. 16, against the Notre Dame Hounds.

McMillan said he expects that the LaRonge Ice Wolves will be a tough opponent, as they have been playing really well so far this year. Flin Flon, who sits at the bottom of the Dodge Conference at 0-6, are struggling with their own growing pains this year, said McMillan; while they have not done especially well this season, he said it only takes one good night for the Bombers to take the victory.

The Notre Dame Hounds, who were 5-2 in the standings on Monday and at the top of the Sherwood Conference, should also prove to be a tough opponent, said McMillan.

All home games start at 7:30 p.m.