Monday Bruins Update

I had a chance to speak with Bruins Head Coach Keith Cassidy today and here's some of the highlights.

-- The Bruins roster is down to 26 with a deadline to trim itto 25 by Saturday's season opener. He feels some tough decisions are coming up this week.

-- Derek Tendler played yesterday in the win over Yorkton, the goalie decision could come this week, but Cassidy didn't rule out carrying three goalies to start the season.

-- Derek Whitehill is still day to day with his shoulder, Ben Johnstone is ready to come back into the lineup, Josh Jelinski played this weekend in both games against Swan Valley and Yorkton, and Ryan Ostertag could be back in the lineup this week.

-- The roster for tomorrow's game hasn't been set yet, and will likely be determined after tomorrow's practice.

-- Last week Cassidy mentioned a captain will likely not be named in the near future. The Bruins could be captainless until October.

-- The Bruins Locker Room might not be ready for this weekend, after Saturday's opener, Bruins next home game after that is Tuesday, September 27.

-- Bruins finish the preseason tomorrow against Notre Dame at Spectra Place opening faceoff is 7:30.

In some non Bruin thoughts

-- How about them Riders! The Riders are rolling after a sweep of the home and home set with the Blue Bombers, and even though they are 3-7 the Riders are feeling really good. Darian Durant looks so comfortable with Ken Miller back on the sidelines, Durant is looking like a potential Most Outstanding Player that he's capable of being.

The reason I like the Riders chances right now, their defence looks scary, especially compared to last year. (Remember last September when teams ran all over the Riders D) If Jarrell Freeman keeps up his strong play, he might end up as the top Defensive Player of the year.

Craig Butler sure looks like a keeper in the Riders secondary, that sack on Buck Pierce was the nicest QB sack since Jackie Mitchell's crushing hit on Dave Dickenson.

With their 4 road games left this season all in Alberta, I believe 9-9 is an attainable record for the Riders.

-- NFL started and as a 49ers fan obviously I'm happy with the result yesterday. Their offence might not have been pretty but the defence and special teams came to play and was the difference for their win. With St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford and RB Steven Jackson possibly out with injuries, the NFC West becomes more wide open.