A veteran laden lineup helped the Estevan Apex Bruins midget AA hockey team jump out to a quick start in the 2015-16 season.
The Bruins defeated the Melville Millionaires 5-3 at Affinity Place Friday before beating the Notre Dame Hounds 3-1 in Notre Dame Sunday. Returning Bruins’ netminder Cam Lavoie earned both wins, while veteran forwards Erik McKersie, Josh Skjonsby (two goals), Preston Brodziak (who suited up for nine games with Estevan last season and notched a hat trick against Melville Friday) and defenceman Cole Skjonsby (played 10 games last year) scored the goals.
Blake Jamieson, head coach of the Bruins, said they got the wins against Melville and Notre Dame by burying their chances in the third period. After heading into the final frame tied in both games, the Bruins went on to play their best hockey during the last 20 minutes.
“As the games went on we started to play better and better and just carried that into the third period,” said Jamieson. “We were fortunate to come out on top.”
The Bruins have last season’s second leading scorer in Bill and third leading point getter in Peyton Stevenson returning to the forward ranks this year, but Jamieson said the hope is to have all four lines contributing on offence. He said they also have a majority of their defence coming back, with last season’s leading scorer from the blue line Josh Giblett leading the charge, and should be strong on the back end. Add in their starting goaltender last season in Lavoie returning to the team and the Apex Bruins should be a force to reckon with this year.
“We have a lot of returning guys and a returning goalie, so there is a lot of veteran presence,” said Jamieson. “We expect to be quite competitive every night.”
