The Estevan Bruins had mixed results over the weekend, but head coach Drew Kocur is staying focused on building momentum as the team moves closer to the playoffs.
The weekend began with a 2-2 overtime draw against a rival team on Friday night. Although Kocur believed the Bruins deserved to come away with the full two points, he was pleased with the team’s effort. The following day, the Bruins bounced back with a solid 5-2 victory on the road.
“It was awesome to get three of four points over the weekend,” Kocur said. “We did a lot of things well on Friday, but then to rebound on Saturday and get that win was big. I think the key for us now is just continuing to build and take those little wins.”
When asked if any adjustments were made between the two games, Kocur said the team stuck with the plan they had in place. They emphasized a strong start on the road and made sure to maintain focus for the rivalry matchup.
On Sunday, the Bruins faced a tough challenge, playing their third game in three days. Despite a strong first period, Kocur noted that fatigue became a factor as the game progressed. The team ultimately fell short but saw valuable lessons in the loss.
“We looked a little fatigued, and we were running out of gas,” Kocur explained. “It was a learning experience for us, and we’ll use it to build moving forward.”
With three of a possible six points from the weekend, Kocur is determined to keep the team’s focus on the positives.
“We’re looking at the little wins,” Kocur said. “The loss stings, but we’ll look at the positives from the game and build off that. We have a lot of games left, and we just need to take it one game at a time.”
Looking ahead to the stretch run, Kocur emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard and stay consistent. Although the Bruins are currently on the outside looking in for the playoffs, Kocur believes they can still make a push with strong performances down the stretch.
“We need to focus on building some positives and chipping away,” Kocur said. “We’re still in the hunt, and we just have to stay focused on one game at a time.”
One of the bright spots for the Bruins over the weekend was their depth scoring, which Kocur was pleased to see. In addition to the usual contributors, the lower half of the lineup stepped up offensively.
“Our depth was important this weekend,” Kocur said. “It was great to see guys further down the lineup contribute offensively. That’s always key – it can’t just be the top guys getting the job done.”
As the Bruins continue their push toward the playoffs, Kocur remains confident in his team’s ability to grow and improve.
“We have a lot of hockey left,” Kocur said. “If we can stay focused and build off the little successes, I think we’re in a good position to make a run.”
The Bruins will look to build on their positive moments and push forward in their quest for the postseason.