The Estevan Bruins' record against the Kindersley Klippers this season has been less than ideal, so it probably wouldn't have surprised many people if they lost to the Klippers on Sunday.
But with a playoff spot on the line and coming off two losses in Kindersley a week earlier, the Bruins had plenty of motivation, and they fed off it.
The Bruins played maybe their best period of the season in the first, taking a 4-0 lead and outshooting the Klippers 17-5.
They did take their foot off the gas in the final 40 minutes, but they sent the message that they can, in fact, beat Kindersley, and that's going to be critical because the Klippers are their opponent in the survivor series.
The Bruins' coaching staff changed up the lines Jan. 11 in North Battleford, and the new combos are bringing results.
Instead of having one top line and two secondary lines, the Bruins have now spread their production across four lines.
One line has Dylan Smith and Cole Olson, with grinder Wyatt Garagan on the left side to open some room and chip in some offence.
Another has Calder Neufeld, who is now playing regular shifts, alongside Alex Cote and Hudson Morrison, two of the team's top performers.
With Morrison removed from his regular line, his old linemates - Darcy DeRoose and Tyler Paslawski - are now playing with either Dayton Picard or Brett Dumaine.
Finally, the only line left intact is the 19-year-old unit of Matt Brykaliuk, Taylor Reich and Tanner Froese.
Now each line has at least two guys who can produce on a regular basis. How long these lines will stick together, who knows, but I like the way they look. With Neufeld and Smith both back in the lineup, the Bruins have lots of options up front now.
The Bruins still have a shot at fourth place, sitting three points behind Kindersley with a game in hand.
And Estevan has a much easier schedule, facing last-place Weyburn twice - the same Red Wings who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1999 - and the slumping Notre Dame Hounds.
Kindersley hosts Nipawin on Saturday and visits Humboldt on Tuesday.
Still, to get home ice in the series, the Bruins need to win two games and have the Klippers lose both of theirs, or run the table and have the Klippers lose once.
And home ice is absolutely crucial in this case, as both teams own horrid road records.
The Bruins are 6-19-1 away from the confines of Spectra Place; the Klippers are 5-18-2-1 away from the West Central Events Centre.
I believe, on paper, that the Bruins are the better team, particularly after getting Smith and Neufeld back. They certainly have more experience, as the Klippers have only three 20-year-olds and a bounty of players 18 and younger.
Whether the Bruins can get their heads on straight and play the way they're capable of is another thing.
I'll put my money on whatever team ends up with home-ice advantage.
Contact Josh Lewis at 634-2654 or [email protected]. Someone mind explaining how the Leafs beat Florida on Monday, no less shut them out? The Panthers have been their kryptonite for years. It's practically a tradition.
