The Estevan Bruins swept the Melville Millionaires in their annual season-opening home-and-home series for the first time since 2006.

Estevan scored early and often in both wins over Melville. The Bruins scored five times in the first 29 minutes, and cruised to a 6-4 win in the first game of the season September 16 in Melville.

And the Bruins scored five times in the first period en route to a convincing 7-3 win over Melville in Estevan’s home opener September 18.

“We've been playing pretty well as a team, getting pucks deep and playing simple hockey, and it's been working for us,” said captain Troy Hunter.

Hunter, who has three points in the Bruins’ first two games, admitted he was surprised with the offensive output.

“I knew we'd be pretty solid defensively, and we'd score some goals, but I wasn't expecting 13 goals in the first two games,” said Hunter.

Head coach/GM Karry Biette said the team is already buying into his system. But there is room for improvement in terms of defensive coverage and discipline.

“We have to be disciplined,” said Biette. “We can't take those penalties like we did in Melville. They'd kill us. Against a good hockey team, or a hockey club that's been together, a veteran hockey club, those penalties would put us in a hole.”

Defensive play was better in the second game against Melville, Biette said.

Goaltender Joel Danyluk allowed seven goals in two games, but Biette was impressed with his play.

“I saw Danyluk tonight (September 18) look a little uncomfortable,” said Biette. “Being the home opener, he was probably a little nervous. In the second and third periods, Melville didn't get a sniff. There was nothing there.”

Defenceman Dominic Perrault, who was acquired from the Battlefords North Stars on September 16, scored one of the Bruins’ goals September 18.

“I thought he picked up the systems very well,” said Biette. “He has a heck of a shot from the point … he's going to be very useful for us. I think he's big, he's strong and he makes a good first pass.”

Biette said he was surprised that he could acquire Perrault without surrendering a roster player. The Bruins gave up two prospects for Perrault.

Perrault’s a player who was going to need a change of scenery to take the next step in his development, Biette said.

Estevan will visit the Notre Dame Hounds on September 24, and host Notre Dame on September 25. Melville will visit the Bruins on September 28.