ESTEVAN - The Estevan Steelhaus U18 AAA Bears began their preseason on the weekend by splitting games against the Yorkton Maulers.
Carter Tuplin had the Bears’ lone goal in Saturday’s game, a 5-1 loss to Yorkton at Affinity Place. A short-handed tally, it came when the Bears were already trailing 4-0.
Riley Deck was in goal for the Bears.
The following day, the Bears scored three times in the third period to beat the host Maulers 4-1. Jye Zawatsky scored the winner early in the third, and then Carter Onrait scored short-handed and Blaze Gutzke tallied at even strength.
Kole Keen had the other Bears goal.
Ty Fehrenbach was in goal for Estevan.
Saturday’s game was part of the Black Gold Day in Estevan. Fans had a chance to get an autograph from their favourite players after the game.
The Bears game Saturday was also followed by another preseason contest, between the Estevan Bruins and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Virden Oil Capitals.
The Bears’ next preseason action will be Saturday when they play the Team Saskatchewan U16 squad at the Duncan McNeil Arena in Wilcox. Then they will host the defending Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League champions, the Notre Dame Hounds, Sunday at Affinity Place at 12:30 p.m.
