The Weyburn EnCana Midget Wings lost the third round of Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) playoffs to the College Mathieu Alouettes this weekend by a combined score of 9-7. The Weyburn team will also begin league playoffs this week, with the first game on Thursday, March 4.

The provincial series opened Saturday at the Colosseum. The Wings got off to a great start, gaining a 2-0 lead on goals by Troy Miller, assisted by Kent Lillejord, Brad Reaney and Clinton Griffiths.

The next two periods, however, were marred by a lack of discipline on the Wings' part, as they gave up four power play goals on 10 opportunities.

The second period ended in a 3-3 tie, with Brendon Vertefeuille and Orry Knoll teaming up for their third goal.

In the third, the teams traded goals before Weyburn finally succumbed to two late power play goals, giving the Alouettes a 6-4 lead.

The two teams played their second game on Sunday. The College had a 1-0 first period lead erased by three goals from Weyburn in the second, with Knoll scoring twice and Miller once. Richter assisted twice, and Knoll and Vertefeuille had single assists.

Up 3-2, Weyburn was within one goal of dissolving the Alouettes' lead. But the Wings couldn't solve netminder Danny Gagne; the Alouettes had the only goal of the third period, scoring an empty-netter with seven seconds remaining.

Aside from the provincial series, the Wings wrapped up their regular season last week with the Estevan Blackmax Bruins and the Pipestone Valley Jets.

The Wings suffered their second loss of the season against Pipestone on Feb. 19. Weyburn trailed in this game from beginning to end, finally losing 4-3.

Lillejord scored twice and Vertefeuille scored the other goal. Miller, Knoll and Reaney had assists. Brent Ruckaber faced 20 shots as goaltender, his first game back after a six-week layoff.

The final league game was on Feb. 23 with Estevan in Midale. The Wings came out on top this time, winning 4-3. Justin Richter led with two goals and an assist, with Knoll chipping in a goal and assist, and Miller scoring the remaining goal.

The Wings finished the regular season in first place with a record of 25-2-5, one point head of College Mathieu.

The Wings open league playoffs at home on Thursday, March 4, at 8 p.m. versus the Pipestone Valley Jets.