The Highway 39 Rivalry Cup between the Estevan Bruins and the Weyburn Red Wings will continue this weekend, but Estevan Police Chief Jamie Blunden doesn’t believe it will be decided just yet.
"I don’t think it’s going to be decided this weekend because I don’t believe the Red Wings are going to win the two games they think they're going to win," Blunden said. "If the Bruins are successful in winning those, it’s going to continue on."
As far as standings go, the Estevan Bruins have won one of three games against the Red Wings this season. The doubleheader this weekend is crucial, as Weyburn sits atop the Viterra Division, while the Bruins are in fourth place.
The rivalry between the two teams has extended beyond the ice, with Blunden and Weyburn Police Chief Brent VanDeSype adding a friendly wager to the competition. The losing police chief will have to wear the opposing team’s jersey for a day.
"I’m hoping to get Chief VanDeSype into a Bruins jersey," Blunden said. "Right now, we’re down a little, we put ourselves in a bit of a hole, but we have a lot of faith in the guys, and they’re playing well as of late. Let’s hope they come up with a win or two over the weekend."
The two chiefs also took to social media earlier this week, cementing the rivalry.
Blunden added that if there were ever a police-versus-police game between Estevan and Weyburn, he has no doubt who would come out on top.
"Estevan is always going to come out on top," he said. "We’ve got some talented individuals here. I’ve seen some of them skate. They’ve got a tender over there who doesn’t really know how to stop things, and a couple of guys who are a little slower than others. I know we’ve got a few players here who would be able to outskate them, outscore them and outlast them."
While the rivalry between the two cities is intense, Blunden said it remains in good fun, and he has never had to step in to keep the peace at a game.
"You do get passionate about it, but everybody’s very respectful," he said.
The first game in the series will be at Affinity Place tonight. The two teams will then head to Weyburn on Saturday for a game at Crescent Point Place. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Blunden also hinted at "Operation Kodiak," though he didn’t elaborate on what exactly it entails.
"After this weekend, the Wings, along with the chief of police out in Weyburn, are going to understand what Operation Kodiak was all about," he said. "Heads up, we’re still coming your way."