2025 is off to a bit of a tumble for the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins. So far, they're sitting tenth in the SJHL standings and have lost their first two games of the year. However, according to play-by-play host Marty Martinson, the chase is still on.
"Sitting six points back of that eighth and final playoff spot that's currently held by Humboldt - it's going to be a grind to get back in there. That being said, the Bruins do hold the two games in hand. And it's just about winning those games in hand."
To start the new year, the Bruins lost to the Yorkton Terriers 7-3 and the Weyburn Red Wings 3-0 respectively. Martinson doesn't see this as a huge setback. The team is looking at the season from game to game and shift to shift instead of the long road ahead. "They've had spurts in games where they look like a real competitive team that can play with anybody in this league. It's just winning that shift, winning that next period, [and] winning that next game. If you can string some of those together, then you're giving yourself a chance. But it's not going to be easy."
The black-and-gold will have a shot at redemption this week with only one game on the schedule. Tomorrow, they'll be welcoming the seventh-place Melville Millionaires to Affinity Place. They'll be a tough match-up, Martinson admits, but not impossible to beat. He noted that desperation will be a key factor for both teams.
"It's a divisional rivalry game; another team from that Viterra division. It's also a team that, just like the Bruins are looking to snap a three-game skid, Melville has dropped four straight heading into play. So, it's going to be a couple of desperate hockey teams. They're going to be looking to get back on that winning track. One thing about this Melville group over these last couple of years, coached by Doug Johnson there, they're going to play you hard."
Playoff hopes remain alive for the black-and-gold, but even Martinson said that it would be a grind to get there. "It's just about winning those games in hand. I always say you can't look at it In the big picture when you're chasing, trying to get back in things. [You] can't go. 'Oh boy! We gotta make up six points. We better string some wins together.'. You gotta just look at it like next game, next shift, next period and if you can win that, then you're setting yourself up for success. So I think that's the real key for this group," he shared.
Two slots down from playoff contention, the Bruins will have an uphill battle ahead of their only game this week. The Melville Millionaires will be visiting Affinity Place tomorrow night to try and hold their place in the league standings. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm.