Entering action on October 20 the Estevan Bruins had not lost at home or lost two games in a row all season. By the end of the game on October 21, they had done both. 

The Bruins lost two close games back-to-back at Affinity Place over the weekend, first losing a tight 2-1 contest to the Nipawin Hawks on Friday before falling 5-4 to the Yorkton Terriers on Saturday night.

The Bruins led for much of Friday night's game, as they got the opening goal on a power play tally by Zach Goberis. They held that lead until the back half of the third period when Jake Tremblay picked off a wayward pass at the Bruins' blue line, walked in and tied the game. Tremblay then scored another goal on a very similar play, capitalizing on another Bruins turnover with just 1:33 to go in the final frame.

The Bruins swarmed the Hawks net late in the game but couldn't solve goaltender Declan Hobbs, who showed well with 27 saves on 28 shots. Matt Lukacs made 27 saves on 29 shots in the loss.

The Bruins and Hawks played a fast, physical game with plenty of flow despite the lack of goals. Two of the SJHL's best teams put on a show for the assembled crowd in a game that had a surprisingly playoff-like atmosphere, considering the two teams had not yet played each other in the young season. 

The next game had a very different feel to it. The Terriers and Bruins played a very physical game as always, but the flow of the game was interrupted by a constant parade to the penalty box by both teams, but especially by the Bruins. Estevan was forced to kill off multiple 5-on-3 opportunities for the Terriers. Yorkton had no fewer than 14 power-play opportunities.

Bruins head coach Chris Lewgood was kicked out after expressing frustration with the calls, immediately after Kaelan Holt was given a confusing 10-minute misconduct and ejected as well. Aigne MacGeady-Bruce was also ejected on the play for checking from behind, along with a pair of Terriers players following a melee in the corner in which Holt did not throw a punch.

The Bruins never led in the game against Yorkton. They battled back several times to get within one, but could never fully close the gap. Terriers goalie Nolan Maier was stellar with 45 saves on 49 shots, including breakaway stops on Goberis and Hayden Guilderson. Max Sidelnik surrendered five goals on 35 shots.

The Bruins got goals from Matthew Chekay, Michael McChesney, Isaac Embree, and Jake Heerspink. Heerspink's marker brought Estevan back to a 5-4 deficit, but with Sidelnik pulled for the extra attacker Jake Fletcher was called for high-sticking. The Bruins mounted a valiant attack despite the penalty but were unable to solve Maier in the dying moments. 

Yorkton got two goals from William Brochu, one from Chantz Petruic (who added two assists) and Cody Bruchowski. The winning goal, however, came from Austen Flaman. It was Flaman's first SJHL tally.

The Bruins will regroup in time to play Notre Dame in Wilcox on October 25, while Yorkton will match up with Humboldt on October 26.

GAME NOTES:

-Zach Goberis's goal in the game against Nipawin was his 17th of the year and his assist against Yorkton brought him to 30 points on the year. He was the first SJHL player to reach the mark in this season.

-The Bruins put up 62 PIMS in the game against Yorkton. The Terriers had 48 of their own.

-The Bruins and Terriers have played four times this year now, with Estevan winning three of the games. Three of the four have been one-goal games.

-Chantz Petruic now has three goals and three assists in four games against Estevan this year. 

-Nipawin's win over Estevan was their fifth in a row. They lost the next night in Weyburn.