ESTEVAN - The Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears had a lopsided victory and a shootout loss in their season-opening home games versus the Tisdale Trojans on the weekend.
Estevan began the 2023-24 campaign in style with an 8-3 romp over the Trojans on Saturday night. Cameron Allard had the Bears' first goal of the season when he tallied 2:09 into the game, and Chase Holt also scored in the opening frame.
Estevan added four goals in the second, with two from Kade McIvor and singles from Holt and Gunner Moore. Holt added his third of the game and Moore scored his second in the third.
Kaden Perron made 25 saves for the Bears.
The eight goals marked the second-highest single-game total in Bears' franchise history.
The offence kept rolling on Sunday, as Evhan Allan scored less than two minutes into the first period for Estevan.
The two teams combined for seven goals in the middle frame. Roan Burgess and Taye Shukin scored to give the Bears a 3-1 lead less than five minutes into the frame, but the Trojans replied with two of their own. Tallen Wallis scored with 2:59 to play in the second to put Estevan back in the lead, but the Trojans tied the game in the final minute.
The teams exchanged goals in the third, with Thomas Ries getting the Bears' lone goal to tie the game at 5-5.
Tisdale outscored Estevan 2-1 in a shootout that went eight rounds.
Perron stopped 20 shots in goal for the Bears.
The Bears' next action will be when they visit the Battlefords Stars on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Be sure to check out our provincial news hub at SaskToday.ca for updates on the Bears throughout the season.
