The Apex Bruins had a little bit of a bump in the road late in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League’s midget AA division’s regular season but that was wiped away in their 7-1 win Friday night against the Notre Dame Argos.
The Bruins (22-12-2-0) are playing the Swift Current Broncos (21-9-4-2) in the first round of the playoffs because of their win over the Argos (18-15-1-2), which gave them fifth place in the league.
“It was good for us feeling good about ourselves going into playoffs,” said Bruins head coach Robin Ulrich.
“We were struggling the last couple of games so it was really important to get that win and get momentum back for the postseason coming up,” said Jaiden (JD) Gervais.
The era of good feelings began late in the first period with a power play goal by Dawson Schaff and an even strength goal from Kyler Gervais. Even though Tyler Bedard scored for Notre Dame in the first minute of the second period any thoughts of a comeback were squashed by goals from Carson Benning and Zach Ashworth 25 seconds apart later in the period. Schaff, Kyler Gervais and Kelby Widenmaier rounded out the scoring the goal-happy Bruins in the third.
The Bruins scored 166 goals in the regular season, second only to league leading Yorkton (25-7-2-2), but the frequent scoring of her top two lines isn’t the only thing she’ll remember from this year.
“I think the thing I’ll always remember is the way they banded together and turn things around,” said Ulrich. “We had a really rough start to our season, not getting a win in the first six games. They were able to turn that around and put a good streak together and put a real good finish on it. And their ability to score goals and score in bunches and get contributions from across the board.”
The goaltending was a highlight this year as well, with Logan Nagel’s 24-save performance putting a nice touch in the last game. Bryson Garton got the lion’s share of the ice time, with 24 games to Nagel’s 13.
But it was Jaiden (JD) Gervais who ends up winning the league’s scoring crown with 26 goals and 44 assists for 70 points in 36 games.
“It’s not really me that I’m thinking about,” said Gervais. “It’s the guys who banded together and turned the season around.”
The best of five first round started with games 1 and 2 in Swift Current Tuesday and Wednesday. Scores were unavailable at press time. The series comes to Affinity Place Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m, if necessary. Game 5 would be Feb. 27 in Swift Current if it’s needed.
Playing the Broncos will be a challenge for the Bruins.
“They’re a big, tough physical team,” Ulrich said. “We played them a couple of weekends ago and they scored one late on the power play on a tough bounce. It’s going to be a good battle, it’s going to be physical and I expect it’s going to be fun, exciting hockey.”
