The Eastman Selects began the 2019 part of their schedule with a pair of games this past weekend.

Kade Runke scored the only goal of the shootout as the Selects salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Bruins Friday night at the Sun Gro Centre in Beausejour.

Eastman enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 second period lead but watched the Bruins send the game into overtime thanks to three unanswered goals.

The Selects, who won their 21st game of the season on Friday, suffered their 10th loss Sunday afternoon at Bell MTS Iceplex.

Brett Murphy stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced in the third period as the defending Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League champion Winnipeg Wild edged Eastman 3-2.

"They beat us the first two periods and then in the third we really took it to them," said Selects head coach Scott Wong. "I felt our effort in the third period - they were kind of lucky to come away with two points - but that's why they're a first place hockey team."

Murphy was outstanding in the last minute of the third period.

With Eastman goaltender Danton Belluk on the bench for an extra attacker, the Selects fired a barrage of shots at the Wild netminder but couldn't pot the equalizer.

"He shut the door alright," said Wong. "There was one there, I have no idea how he kept it out, but that's the difference in the game. We play them one more time so we'll see what happens."

Cabrel LaBossiere and Michael Svenson did the goal scoring for the Selects who will play road games this weekend against the Yellowhead Chiefs in Shoal Lake and against the Wheat Kings in Brandon.

The Eastman bench boss says his players are really looking forward to hitting the road.

"They've already been asking me what's for supper and what's for lunch but they love that stuff...where are we staying and who's with who? They're fine. We'll be okay."

As for playing the third place Wheat Kings and a Chiefs team who are tied with the Selects for fourth place in the MMHL.

"I'm expecting the same as what we just saw today," said Wong. "Fast, hard hitting and quick pucks. The last mistake usually doesn't come away with two points."