Training camp is one of the best times of the year for a hockey fan. After going a few months without some puck, the anticipation builds up and hope springs eternal as veterans and youngsters make their case.
Nearly six months since being eliminated from last year's playoffs by the Yorkton Terriers, the Estevan Bruins kicked off their camp tonight with a pair of intrasquad games.
I missed the first one (Teal defeated Blue 10-2 - the Blue roster will be tweaked a bit as they were short a few players) because I was covering the Elecs' football season opener.
In the second game, Team Red's offence turned on the jets in the second half to come back and beat Black 6-2.
Here's what I have for scoring (there are probably a couple mistakes, I'm in pre-season too):
First Half
1. Black - Connor McKenzie
2. Black - Chris Thorimbert (?)
Second Half
3. Red - Taysen Holt
4. Red - Kaelum Bieber
5. Red - Keegan Allison
6. Red - Corey Kosloski
7. Red - Turner Ripplinger
8. Red - Keegan Allison
Chris Lewgood said after the game that Austin Daae, Hudson Morrison, Nick Egan, 1995 D Nolan Nicholas and 1996 D Joshua Rieger were among the players who impressed him.
I would have to agree for the most part (I didn't see Daae, he was in the first game, but he apparently scored four goals). Morrison was the best player on the ice for my money and even got into a fight, earning the decision over Jim McKenzie's son Connor.
Egan, who only recently decided to return this year, lost 25 pounds over the summer and it showed. He had some mobility, which was the main drawback to his game last year. He fought David Robertson early on, but Robertson hurt something during the fight so Egan patted him on the shoulder and stopped.
I didn't have jersey numbers for the first half of the game, so I only knew which player Nicholas was after that, but he was very impressive and reminds me of Tyler Kauk in some ways.
Allison and Kosloski were very good and had some obvious chemistry. They could very well be linemates to start the season.
Tomorrow's schedule begins with scrimmages at 9:30 and 11:30, followed by a goalie session at 2:45. There are more intrasquad games at 5 and 7 p.m. Camp wraps up Sunday with the Gerry Aspen Cup at 6 p.m.
