Looking for their second win in three nights, the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins refused to give up during the third period of Sunday's road game against the Nipawin Hawks.
Despite scoring four goals in the third, the Bruins lost 5-4 in overtime on a goal by Stefan Wood.
That followed a 5-2 victory over the Flin Flon Bombers on Saturday and a 3-0 loss to the Melfort Mustangs on Friday.
The Bruins (10-15-1-4) are in third place in the SJHL's Viterra Division, two points behind the Weyburn Red Wings and two ahead of the Yorkton Terriers, who have two games in hand.
Bruins head coach Chris Lewgood said that while the third period push was impressive on Sunday, bringing that effort for the whole game would have helped.
"It was a good effort, especially with it being our third game in three days. I thought the guys really had to dig in and make that happen. (But) I think it was too little, too late.
"In the first two periods, we were just muscled off pucks too easily and some races we should win, we weren't winning. In fairness, it was our third game in three days against three really good opponents. It was a good effort to get that point in the end."
The Hawks took the lead five minutes into the game on a goal by Garrett Dunlop, then Carter Danczak extended the lead on a power play at 13:45 of the second.
Wyatt Garagan got the Bruins on the board seven minutes into the third, jamming the puck past Hawks netminder Logan Flodell.
Danczak replied two minutes later with his second man advantage marker of the night.
Less than two minutes after that, Estevan's R.T. Rice scored to make it 3-2 for Nipawin.
Midget AAA callup Riley Woods scored his first SJHL goal for the Bruins with four minutes left to tie it.
Lewgood said Woods offered more on Sunday than scoring a key goal.
"He was very consistent. He might not have been our best player, but he was very consistent. He's proven to us he can play at this level and be a contributing factor."
With 68 seconds left in regulation, Carter Coben restored the Hawks' lead, only to see Keegan Allison tie it up again 22 seconds later to force overtime.
Bruins starter Tyler Gutenberg stopped 41 of 46 shots, while Flodell saved 21 of 25.
On Saturday in Flin Flon, Estevan's top line of Allison, Jason Duret and Lynnden Pastachak combined for seven points, including two goals by Pastachak.
Pastachak and Flin Flon's Joel Kocur traded goals late in the first period.
The Bruins grabbed a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes on goals by Allison and Zach Douglas, the latter coming on the power play.
Estevan's offensive onslaught continued in the third, with Chase McKersie and Pastachak scoring 66 seconds apart in the first four minutes of the frame.
Brandon Switzer scored the Bombers' second goal at the 7:28 mark.
"Our D zone (play) was very good. For the most part, I thought we did a good job of keeping them to the perimeter and preventing opportunities. The biggest thing is we capitalized on our opportunities. When you're playing a team with that kind of D corps, that's not easy to do," Lewgood said.
He added the club has become accustomed to big performances from the top line.
"It's always impressive to see the best players on each team, how they contribute. We expect it out of our guys. That's their capability. It doesn't surprise us, but it's always fun to watch."
Starting goalie Tyler Fuhr had an excellent night, stopping 51 of 53 shots. Bombers starter Adam Beukeboom allowed five goals on 20 shots before being pulled after Pastachak's second goal. Simon Hofley stopped all 11 shots he faced in relief.
"Fuhr gives us a chance every night and that's why he's here. We knew he was a guy that's going to compete and play at a high level. Just like our top line, he's always impressive and fun to watch, but it doesn't surprise you."
Against the Mustangs, Lewgood said the Bruins didn't get much going offensively.
"We weren't able to create a whole bunch. There were a few chances we didn't capitalize on, but that happens in every game. They're a good team. We had some breakdowns that ended up in the back of our net and when a team with that skill and ability wants to sit on a lead, (it's hard to score)."
After a scoreless first period, Melfort's Nick Hermary and Andrew Durham scored 39 seconds apart in the second.
Sam Houston added another insurance marker early in the third.
Fuhr made 37 saves on 40 shots, while Melfort's Zach DeGraves turned aside 19 shots in the shutout.
The Bruins have a pair of home games this week. They host the Mustangs on Thursday and the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Friday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. at Affinity Place.
