The Midget AAA Richardson Pioneer Gold Wings entertained the Saskatoon Stars for a pair of games this past weekend and came away splitting the matchups. Saturday, the Wings won 5-4 in a shootout, while the Stars took the game Sunday afternoon by a final of 3-1.

The Gold Wings got things started Saturday night when Sara Auchstaetter made good on a penalty shot attempt at the 5:27 mark of the opening frame. The lead wouldn’t survive the opening 20 minutes, though, as Saskatoon tied it up when Jessica Warren scored with 6:05 to play in the period.

In the second, the Stars opened up a lead as Sydney Mercier scored with 9:44 to go in the frame. Then, a power-play goal from Maken Kushniruk with 4:15 on the clock made it 3-1 Saskatoon.

The Gold Wings would pull within one with 2:05 remaining in the second period. Dakota Bowler would find the back of the net on a goal assisted by Kira Barham.

In the third period, the two-goal lead for the Stars was restored when Bridget Rezansoff scored just 2:27 into the period. The power-play goal made it 4-2 for the visitors. The Gold Wings weren’t finished, though.

At the 8:00 mark of the third period, Katelyn Muchowski scored a power-play goal to make it 4-3. Her goal was assisted by Karleigh Mackenzie and Bowler. Then, with 7:17 to play in the period, Bowler notched her second of the game to tie things up 4-4. The goal was assisted by Hailey Verhelst.

The two teams then played two five-minute overtime periods, and nothing was settled, meaning a shootout would be needed to determine a winner.

In the shootout, Alison Olorenshaw was the only player from the Stars who was able to score on Weyburn netminder Lexi Peace.

At the other end, Madison Lafoy and Auchstaetter would both score on Saskatoon’s Kaitlyn Cadrain, giving the Gold Wings the victory, their third in a row.

The streak would be on the line Sunday afternoon as the two teams met again at Crescent Point Place.

In the return match-up, it would be the Stars who scored first, as Reauna Blight tallied at the 5:11 mark of the opening period.

The Gold Wings would respond, as Bowler scored her third goal of the weekend with 9:11 to go in the first period. The power-play goal was assisted by Muchowski and Kate Goranson. 

In the second period, the Stars poured things on, firing 13 shots on Weyburn's goaltender Chloe Burt. One would get past her as Sydney Mercier gave the Stars the lead with 6:51 remaining in the middle frame.

The Gold Wings would pressure in the third, looking for the tying goal, but weren’t able to score on Cadrain, who turned aside all 12 shots she faced in the final frame.

The Stars would then put things out of reach with an empty-net goal from Jalle Helperl with just 55 seconds remaining in the game.

The Gold Wings will now get a bit of time off from league play. Their next game will be at home against the Regina Rebels on February 5th.