The Estevan Western Star Signature Hotel atom tier 1 Bruins opened the South East Minor Hockey League playoffs with a 6-5 win over the Melville Millionaires Tuesday night at Affinity Place.
Jaxson Orsted scored early in the first overtime period to lift Estevan to the victory. Melville had forced overtime by scoring with 18 seconds to play in the third.
The two teams were tied at 2-2 after the first period, and at threes through two.
Boston Tait had three goals and an assist to lead Estevan’s attack. Jayden Chernoff and Cameron Milbrandt also scored.
Easton Pushie was in goal.
Game 2 is slated for Saturday in Melville. A date for Game 3 has yet to be announced.
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Estevan is also getting ready to host the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s atom playoffs from Feb. 28-March 1.
Two local teams will be entered: the Estevan Senchuk Bearcats, who finished fourth overall in the regular season with an 11-6-4 record, and the Estevan Bearcats, who were fifth with a 8-10-3 record.
Also entered will be the Madville Huskies, who have players from Midale and Radville.
The top four teams from the regular season will be in Pool A, while the bottom four will be in Pool B. The Senchuk Bearcats are in pool A, and they will play Rosetown’s Western Prairie Redwings on Feb. 28 at 5:15 p.m. at Affinity Place, the Weyburn Blizzards on Feb. 29 at 10 a.m. at the Power Dodge Ice Centre, and the Weyburn Gold Wings on Feb. 29 at 4:15 p.m. at Affinity Place.
The Estevan Bearcats play the Huskies on Feb. 28 at 1:45 p.m. at the Power Dodge Ice Centre, the Swift Current Thunder on Feb. 29 at 8 a.m. at Affinity Place and the Lake Diefenbaker Thunder on Feb. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Power Dodge Ice Centre.
The top two teams in each pool will advance to the respective pool finals on March 1, starting at 10:30 a.m.
