ESTEVAN - The Estevan Bruins' recent defensive struggles continued Saturday night in an 8-5 loss to the Weyburn Red Wings at Affinity Place.
Estevan started well, with Felix Allard scoring 2:07 into the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 advantage. It was the Bruins' Teddy Bear Toss Night, so the game was delayed for several minutes while the bears were collected and bagged.
Cade Meiklejohn tied the game a few minutes later for Weyburn. Kaelen Whittingham scored midway through the first period to put the Bruins ahead, but Meiklejohn scored his second of the game moments later to tie the game again.
It remained a 2-2 game until midway through the second, when former Bruin Brendan Hunchak scored on a short-handed breakaway to put the Wings ahead. Jacob Visentini and Max Monette tallied shortly after Hunchak's goal.
Ilia Chmelevski and Zach Burfoot tallied 70 seconds apart to pull the Bruins to within one, but Max Monette's goal with seven seconds remaining in the second left Weyburn ahead 6-4 after two periods.
Goals by Carter Briltz and Jerome Maharaj added to Weyburn's lead in the third. Chmelevski rounded out the scoring midway through the final frame.
Cam Hrdlicka stopped 22 shots for Estevan, and Dazza Mitchell had 39 saves for Weyburn.
The Bruins (10-10-0-2) have now lost four of their last five games, and have surrendered 32 goals in that span.
The Bruins' next five games will be on the road, starting with games at the Battlefords North Stars on Dec. 1 and the Kindersley Klippers the following night.
