A lack of execution coupled with the quick-strike offence of the Notre Dame Hounds both contributed to a 5-1 loss for the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins on Valentine's Day in Wilcox.

Heading into the game, the Bruins and Hounds had split the first four meetings of the year with each team winning once at home and once on the road.

It would be Notre Dame coming out of the gate firing with 13 shots in the first period and the lone goal courtesy of the SJHL's leading scorer.

A neutral zone turnover was carried into the Bruins zone by Hounds forward Adam Dawe who backhanded a pass onto the tape of Ben Duppreault. Duppreault walked into the slot and snapped his league-leading 36th goal of the year past the blocker of Bruins' goalie Curtis Meger.

The score would be 1-0 after the first period, with Notre Dame holding a 13-6 advantage in shots.

The 2nd period started with much of the same and the Hounds extending their lead. Chance Longjohn came out from behind the net and fired his 10th past Meger to make it 2-0.

In the second half of the period, the Bruins would completely take the game over. Estevan outshot the Hounds 12-0 in the final ten minutes of the frame and also grabbed their first goal.

On the powerplay, defenceman Evan Scott took the puck down towards the goal line and just put the puck on net. It found a way through Notre Dame's Ben Patt for Scott's first goal as a member of the Bruins. Jason Miller and Jake Heerspink assisted on the play.

The score would be 2-1 after two periods. Shots were 21-18 in favour of Estevan.

The Bruins would earn back-to-back powerplay opportunities to start the 3rd period. Despite some close calls, they were unable to score.

The Hounds would make the Bruins pay. As the penalty expired, Notre Dame went in on a 2-on-1 which resulted in Longjohn getting his second of the game to make it 3-1.

Shortly thereafter, Chaz Smedsrud scored from Duppreault to make it 4-1.

The Bruins thought they made it 4-2 with a few minutes remaining as the puck bounced off Lynnden Pastachak in the crease and into the net. However, the referee immediately waved it off and ruled that the puck was kicked in.

A minute later, Justin Piller scored for Notre Dame to seal a 5-1 victory for the Hounds. Final shots were 31-27 for Estevan.

GAME NOTES

- Evan Scott (1G) scored his first goal with the Bruins and now has five points (1G, 4A) since joining the team in late January.

- Curtis Meger made 22 saves in the defeat.

- Estevan finished 1/7 on the powerplay, Notre Dame went 0/3.

The Bruins will look to bounce back on home ice this weekend as they host a pair of games during Parents Weekend at Affinity Place.

La Ronge visits Estevan on Friday before a rematch with Notre Dame on Saturday.

Both games begin at 7:30. Both games can be heard on Rock106 and DiscoverEstevan.com beginning at 7:20