The end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 looked very similar for the Estevan Bruins as they won back-to-back games over the Weyburn Red Wings to sweep the first meetings of the season between the two bitter, longtime rivals.

Estevan's wins give them a six-point cushion atop the Viterra Division, which becomes especially important given that Weyburn has two games in hand. 

"There's lots of hockey left and you could see it go either way but they can't get those points back," said Bruins head coach and GM Chris Lewgood of the sweep. "At the end of the weekend, that's an eight point swing that they can't have back."

"We've got lots of hockey left against those guys," he added. "Sixteen points (over eight games) is a lot and it's really a 32-point swing in the standings."

The opening act of the drama took place in Weyburn, where Estevan dominated both the score clock and the shot clock, outshooting the Red Wings 36-23 and outscoring them 5-1. The Bruins beat them on the ice and in the alley, as the saying goes, getting into four separate fights in the third frame.

The Bruins got things started in the first period, with Aigne McGeady-Bruce rifling a shot low-blocker from the slot on a slick feed by Zach Goberis. Goberis struck again just moments later, making a beautiful touch pass between his feet to Arthur Miller, who lifted a backhand past Arik Weersink for his 13th of the season. 

A fast-paced, physical second period in which the Bruins dominated didn't yield anymore goals, but they got started quickly in the third, as Jayden Davis came in hard on the forecheck, freed up the puck and slid it to Tanner Manz, who slapped home his fourth. 

Weyburn replied not long after as Ben Hiltz banged away in the crease to beat Bo Didur, but that was the last puck to elude Dider that night, as he made 22 saves on just 23 shots. 

The goals continued for Estevan, and the fights began as well, beginning with Austin King-Cunningham laying a thumping on Jesse Young in the Bruins zone. After the Bruins made it 4-1 on a power-play goal by Kaelan Holt, a beautiful backhand off the crossbar and in, the game became slightly unhinged. 

After Michael McChesney skated through Weersink's crease and the pursuing defenseman clipped the Red Wings goaltender, the Wings, thinking McChesney had run into their netminder, went after him. A melee ensued, and Arthur Miller dropped the gloves with Mike Eskra. Initially reluctant, Miller dropped his gloves after Eskra had thrown a few punches and quickly got the upper hand on the Red Wings captain. 

The fights weren't done there as Jake Tesarowski squared off with Jeremy Velazquez late in the third. Then, as the game was all but over, McGeady Bruce got in on the act, shedding the gloves against big Tyran Brown.

By then, however, the game was out of reach for Weyburn, and Davis added an empty netter to pull the Bruins lead to 5-1. 

Weyburn came into Monday's action a good deal calmer and wiser, and carried the play at times in the opening period, but the result was much the same. Tanner Manz got the scoring started in the first period and scored the eventual game winner early in the third, for his first career two goal game. 

"It's just hard work paying off, and a little bit of luck too," said Manz of his offensive outburst against Weyburn. "I'll take them how they come."

Holt added another goal of his own, his second power play marker of the series, and Hayden Guilderson and Jake Fletcher also scored to salt the victory away for Estevan. The Bruins stay at home for much of January, and are back at it Friday, January 5 against Melfort. 

GAME NOTES:

Goaltender Bo Didur started both games for Estevan and won both, finishing with a 1.50 GAA and a .944 save percentage. He moved his record to 4-1 as a Bruin. 

Zach Goberis put up two assists to bring his assist total to thirty on the year. He trails only Layne Young for the SJHL scoring lead. 

The Bruins got goals from seven different players over the two games, and outshot Weyburn 71-53 in the series. 

Estevan and Weyburn will play eight times post-Christmas, with the next matchup coming January 19 at Affinity Place.