The TS&M Bruins played their best game of the weekend, and maybe the season so far, in a home battle with the Prairie Storm Sunday afternoon.
But the 2-2 tie with the Lightning in Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League action was all they could muster in a weekend where they also lost twice.
“This is a big step in the right direction,” said Bruins head coach Tom Copeland. “We made some goals going into the game and we accomplished them. That's a much better game tonight and they're a good team. Prairie Storm's no slouch. They're a good hockey team.”
The Prairie Storm, based out of Balgonie, scored first with a goal only 2:13 into the game. The Bruins responded 23 seconds in the second period with a goal by Turner McMillen. A giveaway led to a goal by Prairie Storm's Tucker Buhay (listed at 4'10” in height) but Tyson Dales' goal midway through the period knotted up the game, where it remained 2-2 even after overtime. .
Copeland cited a better effort and commitment to team defence as two of the biggest factors in the game.
“And a little bit more pride in keeping the puck out of the net,” Copeland said. “It showed (Sunday)...
“That's a gut check and it's a good sign the guys figured it out like that. It's something I'm pretty happy about.”
In the Bruins' 11-3 loss in Swift Current Friday, the team got their goals from Kieran Stewart, Adrien Riddell and Blayze Siebert. Zane Winter and Jackson Miller split duties in net. Saturday, the team got their goals from Tayce Miller and Mason Kukura in their 9-2 loss to the Regina Monarchs. Miller played the entire game in net.
The next challenge for the Bruins will be playing at the annual Graham Tuer Bantam Challenge in Regina. The tournament presents a chance for the Bruins to play a few games in a short span, and use different players for different situations.
“There's a lot of pressure on our (regular) season so this tournament is an opportunity to put some gusy into some spots if they haven't seen some ice time and get goalies into games if they haven't seen some icetime in league play,” said Copeland. “Wins and losses in the tournament format just don't matter as much.”
The Bruins open the tournament Thursday against the Yellowhead Chiefs and have two games Friday, one against the Saskatoon Generals (9:15 a.m.) and another against the Burnaby Winter Club (6:15 p.m.). Playoffs will be Saturday and Sunday. But the team will also do some bonding and learning while they're there.
“There's a mental health session up there, and some cooking classes,” Copeland said. “It's a good opportunity for us to get together with the kids and so a lot of good things. But we're never gone into these tournaments with the focus on winning. Four games is lots, even five... I don't know if our kids are physically capable of being ready to play there... We'll try to recalibrate. Get guys working on the power play and see if they can figure things out with a little less pressure.”
The Bruins get back to league action Sat. Oct. 28 at home Saturday against the Warman Wildcats.
