It was a back-and-forth affair with a plot straight out of a movie, but after the dust settled it was the Weyburn Red Wings knocking off the Melfort Mustangs with a 5–4 victory.

Another sloppy start saw them down 2–0 just 9:27 in, but the Red Wings didn't roll over and die. Instead they rallied and showed some resiliency that has been lacking the past few games. Just 35 seconds after the second Mustangs goal, Tyler Leibl banged in a rebound for his first career SJHL goal and that brought the Wings to life.

Just over three minutes later, Drew Anderson would score his first of the night on a breakaway to even things up at two apiece. Dawson McKenzie made a beautiful stretch pass to set him up. 

Not to be outdone, Melfort answered before the end of the frame, as Justin Ball sniped home his 44th goal of the season. However, the Wings once again battled back and Jordan Kazymyra beat the buzzer for a goal with under a second left in the first period. After a wild 20 minutes it was a 3–3 game. 

After some rough stuff, Kayle Tosh would score the Mustangs third powerplay goal of the game and restore their lead. Again, like an annoying little brother, the Red Wings wouldn't go away. 

Will Cruise ripped one five-hole for his fourth goal of the season and once again the game was even. Ball had a glorious chance to give his team the lead again after he had a shorthanded breakaway, but Cody Levesque turned him aside for one of his best of 37 saves on the night. 

With just over 12 minutes to play in the game, Anderson would score the eventual game winner after a ghastly turnover by a Mustang defenceman. He walked out in front and beat the goaltender with the backhand for his second goal of the night. 

"I felt really good and the boys were going tonight, all four lines were rolling. Every guy was going and it was good," Anderson said after the game. "Dawson [McKenzie] and Browner are unreal guys to play with and they always find you. They're smart players and I love playing with them."

The high-powered Mustangs pushed back and had some chances to tie things up, but a strong defensive effort by the Red Wings kept them off the scoresheet. Strong plays, communication and shot-blocking was a key in the third period and the Red Wings played much better than a team with 14 wins. 

Then with six minutes to play and the score 5–4, Ball was awarded a penalty shot after a Red Wing player covererd the puck in the crease. The league-leader in goals had a chance to bring his team back into it...

"Honestly, I was pretty nervous," Levesque said. "Hes got a lot of goals this year, but it was awesome to make that save. It was a big boost for the team and it was a great game."

The Red Wings netminder earned a huge ovation and saved the game for his team. After some tense moments late, the Wings would hold on for the win and snapped their four-game skid.

To say the win felt good for the boys in red would be an understatement. 

"It was unbelievable — the boys were pumped. I've only been here for about two months and I've never seen the guys that excited. It was fun," Anderson said. 

"Everyone was super pumped in the locker room. It was a lot of fun and I haven't got a win in a while, so it was nice to beat those guys," Levesque added.  

They earned three of a possible four points on the weekend against some tough opponents and will finish January with a record of 5–4–1.

With Melville picking up a win as well on Saturday, the Millionaires and Red Wings sit tied for the final playoff spot. However, thanks to having more wins, the Wings hold the tiebreaker and technically hold the 10th spot in the SJHL.

Next up for the Wings is another weekend home-and-home with the Estevan Bruins. The rivalry heats up as the end of the season nears and every game is that much more meaningful.

The Bruins visit Crescent Point Place on Friday night, while the Red Wings will make the trek down on Saturday. Every Red Wings game for the remainder of the season will be broadcast live on BIG106, the home of Red Wing Radio.