The Eastman Selects recorded a pair of wins at the Sun Gro Centre in Beausejour this past weekend to start the 2017-2018 Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League season.

Josh Beauchemin scored 5:33 left in the third period as the Selects edged the Central Plains Capitals 3-2 on Saturday.

Beauchemin and Dallon Wilton had two goals each on Sunday afternoon as Eastman defeated the Southwest Cougars 6-4.

Selects head coach Scott Wong said he learned a lot about his hockey team on the opening weekend of the season.

"We show a lot of composure. Even when times are rough they seem to battle back and find a way. That;s what it takes, to not just to win games, but to develop as a core unit."

Wong was impressed with his team's start on Sunday against the Cougars but a lack of discipline allowed Southwest to get back in the game.

"I thought we came out and played two really strong periods and then got into some penalty trouble which seems to cost us at the wrong time. It's early, we're going to correct it, and all you can do is move on."

Kieran Thiessen and Matthew Smith also scored for the Selects who enjoyed a 5-2 midway through the third period.

Power play goals by Dylan Fontaine and Cougars captain Jared McCorrister just over two minutes apart cut Eastman's lead to 5-4.

Wilton restored the Selects two-goal lead when he beat Southwest goaltender Randy Cooke with 2:35 left on the clock.

Eastman captain Rylan Hoffman says they'll make a genuine effort to stay out the penalty box after giving up three power play goals on Sunday.

"We have to crack down on that early. You could tell today that we got scored on due to penalties. We've got to correct it. It's the biggest flaw in the game so far."

The Selects face the Kenora Thistles in Beausejour on Wednesday; meet the Bruins in Winnipeg on Saturday and then host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Sunday afternoon.