The Weyburn Red Wings picked up their first win of the season in dramatic fashion, as they beat the Yorkton Terriers 3-2 in overtime Sunday. The win returned a favor to the Terriers, who had spoiled Weyburn’s home opener Friday night.

Matthew Jones scored the winner after taking a pass from Erik Olson. Olson was hauled down while making the play, and with a penalty in the extra period coming, the Wings took a chance, and went for it. Jones streaked in on the left wing, with Jordan Kazymyra on the right, creating a two on one against Yorkton. With netminder Logan Bateman covering for the shot, Jones beat him with a wrister from the top of the circle for the win.

The Red Wings almost didn't get a chance for the play to happen. Just moments earlier in the overtime period, a controversial penalty shot was awarded to Terriers forward William Brochu.

Arik Weersink stopped William Brochu on a penalty shot in overtime. Brochu was coming off the bench on a line change, and received a pass before the player he was substituting had left the ice, creating what both head coaches said after the game was a too many men situation for Yorkton. The player count was missed by all four officials on the ice, and Brochu came in on a breakaway, where he was pulled down in front of the net.

Brochu was awarded a penalty shot, and Weyburn goalie Arik Weersink stood tall to the challenge, making the save to preserve the tie.

Weyburn dominated the possession for most of the game, and kept Bateman busy, putting 44 shots on goal over the course of the three periods and overtime. The pace of play impressed Red Wings head coach Wes Rudy.

“We came out with a lot of energy, and we finished with a lot of energy,” Rudy said after the game. “I felt we skated circles around our opponents tonight.”

The Red Wings picked up the momentum in the game early, when Derick Smith tipped in a point shot from Erik Olson on the power play just 2:29 into the game. It was the first goal in the SJHL for the Dexter, Michigan native.

Yorkton would reply exactly nine minutes later, when the puck was sitting on the Red Wings goal line. Weersink moved to try to locate the puck, as everyone was scrambling, looking for it, when he nudged the loose puck just enough to cross the goal line. As Quinton Hobbs was the last Terrier to touch the puck, he was credited with the goal.

Weyburn regained the lead early in the second period when a shot from Jones was initially saved by Bateman, but it snuck through his equipment. Cole Woodliffe caught sight of the puck along the goal line, and tapped it in for the goal, giving Weyburn a 2-1 lead.

With just over five minutes remaining in the period, the Terriers would even things up once again. Weersink lost track of a puck bouncing across the front of the crease, with traffic in front. This gave Yorkton’s Kaleb Bell a chance to knock the puck in past him, tying the game a two.

In the third period, neither team would be able to find a way to score to take the lead, despite plenty of quality chances both ways. This lead to the overtime period, where Jones scored for the win.

The Wings will now have until Friday to prepare for their next game. They visit the Melville Millionaires. The Red Wings will then be off to Saskatoon for the SJHL Showcase. Their next home game is October 7th, when the Melfort Mustangs are in town.