The Estevan Bruins wrapped up the 2011-12 regular season with a 4-2 loss to the Weyburn Red Wings on Sunday night.

Estevan led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Tyler Paslawski, and 2-1 after two. Tanner Froese had the second goal for the Bruins.

But Weyburn responded with three third period goals. The winner came with less than five minutes remaining. The final goal was an empty net tally in the final minute.

Tyler Ross stopped 30 shots for the Bruins.

A season-high crowd of 2,116 spectators were at the game.

"It was a good skating game, again," said head coach and GM Keith Cassidy. "It was physical, and you saw it came down to one or two bounces that went against us. We got those bounces in Weyburn the other night. Tonight we worked hard, but unfortunately the go-ahead goal was an unfortunate bounce off a guy who was just doing his job."

Cassidy said he was pleased with his team's performance in the final two games of the regular season, as they avoided complacency in games that meant nothing in the standings.

"We've been disciplined in terms of our positioning, and doing the things that have been asked of us," said Cassidy. "I would like to see a little more attention to us getting pucks on net, but I think the feeling in the room is good, and the guys battled hard for one another, and that's all you can ask for going into the playoffs.

The Bruins played the game without four regulars: defenceman Austin Yano, forwards Ben Johnstone and Taylor Reich, and forward/defenceman Eric Baldwin. The injuries gave the club a chance to evaluate midget AAA call-ups Darcy DeRoose and Dylan Johner on Friday, and Connor Venne and Rhett Handley on Sunday.

"They didn't look out of place at all," said Cassidy. "That speaks greatly to the job that (director of player personnel) Rick Oakes has done recruiting these players, and the list that the Estevan Bruins have built."

All four played a regular shift, and had power play time.

Estevan finished the regular season with a 28-28-0-2 record, which leaves them fourth in the Sherwood Conference. They'll play the Notre Dame Hounds in a best-of-five, first round series. The winner of that match-up will play Weyburn in a conference semi-final.

Game 1 between Estevan and Notre Dame is Friday night in Estevan. Game 2 is Saturday in Wilcox and Game 3 is Monday night back in Estevan. If Games 4 and 5 are needed, they would happen February 28 in Wilcox and February 29 in Estevan, respectively.

Estevan won five of six meetings with the Hounds this year, and outscored them 41-16 in those six match-ups. But the two teams haven't met since December 16.

"We're going to get re-acquainted really quick, and often," said Cassidy. "It's only going to take two or three shifts to figure out what kind of series it's going to be. We've done some good scouting on them in the last couple games to see how they've been, and I'm sure they've done the same thing with us."

Yano and Johnstone are expected to be back for the series. Baldwin's status is questionable, and it's unlikely that Reich will play.

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Sunday night was busy for the Bruins. Not only did they play Weyburn, but they raised money for two local daycares, and they unveiled a new mascot.

The daycare fundraiser came in the form of a live jersey auction. The Bruins sported special jerseys for the game, with children's painted handprints adorning a white Bruins' home jersey. Nine of the jerseys were auctioned off, raising more than $28,000 for the Hillcrest Early Learning Centre and the Estevan Pure Energy Learning Centre and Estevan Daycare Cooperative.

Michael Hengen's No. 9 jersey had the best result, as it brought in $6,000.

The remaining jerseys are being auctioned off on the Estevan Bruins' website via a silent auction that will continue until noon on Tuesday.

The new mascot is Bruino the Bear (Bruno). He was introduced to fans prior to the game, and spent the night greeting spectators and cheering for the Bruins.

The club was also presented with the Estevan Minor Hockey Association's Volunteer Recognition Award for the Bruins contributions towards minor hockey, and their commitment to the community