The Weyburn Red Wings are having their character tested, failing to pick up a win in their last seven outings. 

Saturday night the Estevan Bruins came to Weyburn and extended their win streak to five, with a 4-2 road win over the Wings. The Red Wings are easily the youngest team in the league, and the woes of this tough season will certainly make them stronger in the future. 

Braden Mellon opened the scoring Saturday night with his 3rd goal of the season. This only seemed to awaken the sleeping bear in black and gold. Austin Roesslein answered back for Estevan on the powerplay not long after. Ben Johnstone would give the Bruins a 2-1 lead, before an unfortunate incident arose. 

Weyburn defenseman Nathan Morris went back to retrieve the puck in his own zone, when Cory Kosloski cross-checked him on the numbers. Morris fell head first into the boards, seemingly knocking him out. Trainers, and soon paramedics, attended to the 19 year old defenseman, taking all necessary precautions. Teams were sent to their dressing rooms with 4:43 still left in the first, and Morris was taken off on a stretcher. After being looked over at the hospital, Morris was said to be walking and doing well. At this point the severity of Morris' injury is still undetermined, as situations involving the possibility of head or neck injuries need time to be properly evaluated. 

After an impromptu intermission, the remaining 4:43 of the first period resumed, with the Wings on a 5:00 powerplay. Kosloski was assessed a five minute major for cross-checking. The Red Wings did not score, including a full two minutes of 5 on 3. 

Many of the young Red Wings rookies have been finding their stride in the past few weeks, including Jacob Jeske. The 18 year old Calgary native one-timed home his 8th of the season off a perfect feed from Brendan McKay. The game was tied at 2, but Estevan would regain control. Johnstone potted his 2nd of the evening to take a 3-2 lead into the break. The Bruins added one more on the powerplay to start the 3rd, and the would be enough to fend off the depleted Red Wings. 

Recent games in Kindersley and Estevan, along with a 2-1 shootout loss at home to Melville, didn't give the Red Wings the outcome they were aiming for, despite hard efforts. The frustration was evident Saturday night, and at times discouraging. But in a league with such parity, it's tough to imagine a team with seven 20 year olds in the line-up falling short to a team employing five 17 year olds, and six 18 year olds. It's easy to forget the age of these players, who are learning what it takes to compete in the SJHL night in and night out. It may be painful right now, but the ones who stick it out will be rewarded in the near future. If this core can stick together and go through the tough times at this age, it will only benefit them in the coming years, as they will one day evolve into veteran superstars in the league. 

Until then, Weyburn will have to take it game by game. Evaluating each performance with a fine tooth comb, something Head Coach Bryce Thoma is no stranger to from his days in the Western Hockey League. 

Next up is the Notre Dame Hounds on Wednesday January 15th at Crescent Point Place. 

@wingsvoice