The Estevan Bruins will have to beat some good teams if they are to avoid the survivor series this year.
It's become a tradition for the Black and Gold. They've played in the SJHL's survivor series in five of the last six seasons. They missed the playoffs the other year.
They have a chance to avoid a best-of-five play-in series this time around, but it won't be easy.
The Bruins are locked in a battle with the Humboldt Broncos for sixth overall in the SJHL standings, which would allow the banged up club to get some rest before beginning the playoffs.
Although Saturday's miracle come-from-behind win over Battlefords clinched a playoff spot for the Bruins, their loss to the Broncos the next day could prove costly.
The Bruins are two points behind and both teams have seven games left. Humboldt has five home games remaining, while the Bruins have four.
Four of Estevan's games are against the top four teams in the league; they visit Melville twice and host the North Stars and Klippers once each.
They also have three games against clubs fighting to make the playoffs, but two of them are against Weyburn, who are one of the hottest teams in the league, having recently won seven games in a row. The Bruins also host Notre Dame tomorrow.
It isn't exactly easy sledding for the Broncos either, as they have two games left against the first overall Yorkton Terriers, as well as one each against Melville and Kindersley.
They also have the Melfort Mustangs, who are battling to win an extremely weak Sherwood Division, as well as the Hounds and the league-worst La Ronge Ice Wolves.
How it will play out is anyone's guess. These are two pretty good teams. The Broncos have done it all before, although this is a younger, less experienced club than we're used to seeing from them.
The Bruins, meanwhile, have been playing their best hockey of the season the last two months, although they have cooled off a bit recently.
And if Austin Roesslein returns this week, they will be almost completely healthy for the first time in quite awhile.
Start your engines.
How about Canada's sizzling start at the Sochi Olympics?
We're accustomed to seeing the Canadians start slow and then hit their stride in the second week as the sports we're good at start up.
Considering we were already leading the medal count for the first time in the history of the Olympics as of Tuesday, it's scary to think of what the total medal count will look like.
We can thank moguls and the new sport of slopestyle in large part for Canada's success, as our athletes have combined for seven medals in those sports, including the men and women both taking gold and silver in the moguls.
Speaking of slopestyle, what a crazy event to watch. They're daredevils out there and the X Games atmosphere can only be a good thing for the Olympics.
Regina's Mark McMorris deserves huge respect for winning a medal with a broken rib, especially after falling a couple of times during the qualifying. Ouch.
Contact Josh Lewis at 306-634-2654 or sports@estevanmercury.ca. Can we get a ruling on the most golds vs. most total medals issue?
