A Feeling In The Air

Thinking back a few years ago it would be hard to believe the Riders would be a team that would be able to host playoff games for 3 years in a row. But a win today over the Hamilton Ti-Cats or a BC loss and the Riders will at least host the Western Semi-Final. A win over Calgary next week and the Riders for the first time in 33 years will host the Western Final. First place seemed like a distant memory when the Riders lost to Edmonton on September 20. The next day I spoke to a few Riders, one of which was Kicker Luca Congi who spoke about the chance of finishing in first among other things.

Final Dark Game

It sure is hard to write about a team you are following when you are missing games. But luckily for me the next time the Estevan Bruins hit the road I will be able to provide actual insight as I will be hitting the road with the team and doing the radio broadcasts. The Bruins ended their Northern road trip with a 5-4 loss to the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Tuesday. The tough part about it was the Bruins had the lead with 52 seconds left until La Ronge scored. And then they scored with 37 seconds remaining in overtime. The Bruins will soon become familiar with their Sherwood Rivals in Yorkton and Weyburn as they play back to back home and home series with those 2 teams, but first is a matchup with the Nipawin Hawks on Saturday. My first broadcast is next Friday in Yorkton.

Catching Up With Dylan Smith

He maybe the brightest spot for the Eagle Drilling Estevan Bruins this season. Dylan Smith leads the SJHL in rookie scoring and was named to the Central Scouting C List. This means Central Scouting ranks Smith as a possible pick in the NHL 2010 draft. I caught up with Smith before the Bruins left for their roadtrip in Flin Flon and La Ronge.

On The Road Again

On the road again too say the least. After a disappointing loss to their Sherwood Rivals the Yorkton Terriers on Tuesday the Bruins now head out to the Northern stops in the SJHL Flin Flon and La Ronge. The Bruins are in tough as well, with their 3 top forwards Chad Filteau, Brody Haygarth and Brant Harris all battling injuries. But with essentially the top line out it may be an open door for some of the secondary scoring to gain some valuable minutes on this road trip that may pay off in the longer run. Tonight in Flin Flon, tomorrow in Flin Flon and then Sunday and Tuesday in La Ronge. Fair to say 2 wins and this would be a successful trip for the Bruins.

Kicking Things Off

Welcome once again on what has been an exciting season of SJHL hockey and importantly for this blog's sake the Estevan Bruins. I'm Blaine Weyland the voice of the Bruins. The Sherwood Conference is proving to be a tight race. With not too much separation in the division it should be an exciting race to watch that should last into the new year.

The Bruins begin the first home and home of the season with the Weyburn Red Wings tonight. Opening faceoff tonight at the Civic Auditorium at 7:30. And tomorrow the 2 teams will meet in Weyburn.

And eventually when I am able to learn how to upload interviews on the blog I will be able to upload not only plenty of Bruin interviews but as well my various interviews including many Saskatchewan Roughriders interviews.

So in the meantime enjoy my words and thoughts.