It was a tight game from start to finish, but in the end, the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Gold Wings came up just short in their home opener, as they fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Swift Current Wildcats. 

"I think it was a solid game," Gold Wings head coach Chandy Kaip said after the game. "Lots of excitement and nerves, which I think showed up a little bit for the team, but by the third period we were getting some momentum."

The Gold Wings picked up a single point, despite the loss, but remain two points back of Saskatoon for third place in the league. They are three points up on Swift Current for fourth place. 

The scoring started early in the first period when Raela Packet scored on Hailey Sibbald just 1:40 into the game, giving Swift Current the early lead. That lead would hold for the rest of the first period, but not for long into the second period. 

With just 1:10 coming off the clock in the middle frame, the Gold Wings would even things up. Randell Banga scored her first goal of the season to make it 1-1, The assists on the goal came from Abby Manz and Jade Olszewski. 

The tie wouldn't make it through the period, though, as Alexie Palchinski scored at the 7:21 mark to make it 2-1 for the Wildcats. 

The Gold Wings would follow a similar formula in the third - score early. Kaydance Ray got the puck past Wildcats netminder Paige Fischer just 1:48 into the third to even things up 2-2. The assists on the goal went to Julia Durr and Hadley Revenko.

Kaydance Ray and Julia Durr celebrating a goal by the Gold WingsKaydance Ray and Julia Durr celebrate Ray's third period goal Saturday night. (Photo by Steven Wilson)

A crucial moment for the Gold Wings just over five minutes into the third period. 

With Rori Dickie in the box for a slashing minor, Manz was given a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for a hit behind the Swift Current net. The Gold Wings would end up killing off both of the penalties, including the extended 5-on-3. 

"Positioning for sure, and blocking shots, and just making sure everyone does their job," Kaip said of the secret to the success on the power play in the game, which was perfect on the night. "It's accountability and trusting your teammates to be able to make sure we have that rotation on the diamond."

Nothing would be solved in regulation, leading to a 4-on-4 five-minute overtime period. Both goaltenders would stand on their heads, which meant another five-minute overtime, this time 3-on-3. Again, neither team would give anything up, and they would need a shootout to solve things.

In the shootout, the first two shooters for the Wildcats, Cassidy Peters and Evangeline Hill, would beat Hailey Sibbald. At the other end, Discher stopped Revenko and Durr, which would ultimately give Swift Current the win. 

The two teams will now meet again Sunday afternoon at Crescent Point Place. The puck drops on the game at 2:00 p.m.

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