The Estevan Bears faced another split decision this weekend, falling 6-3 to the Warman Wildcats in their first game but bouncing back with a 4-1 victory in the second.
In the opener, the Bears struggled early, trailing 2-1 after the first period, with Dylan Brass scoring their only goal. Despite a stronger second half, they couldn’t overcome the initial deficit. “We didn’t get out to the start we wanted, so we were kind of chasing right from period one,” said Ryan Pilon, head coach of the Bears. “By that time, we were already behind the 8-ball, and it was just a little too late.”
In their second matchup, the Bears started strong, leading 1-0 after the first period thanks to Cooper Flath's goal. By the end of the second, they had extended their lead to three-nothing with goals from Gunner Moore and Aidan Mohan.
Several players delivered standout performances, particularly Cooper Flath, Kobe Wotta, Brendan Jones, and Brady Carr. “Cooper Flath, Kobe Wotta, and Brendan Jones were really good for us. That really sparked us in that second game. And Brady Carr was fantastic again,” Pilon said.
The Bears now look ahead to their first matchup of the season against the Swift Current Legionnaires, a team that holds special significance for returning players. “It’s going to be an emotional start,” Pilon said, noting that Swift Current’s rink was where the Bears clinched their playoff spot last year. “We’re going to have to manage those emotions going into the first game.”
In preparation, the Bears are focusing on quick transitions through the neutral zone and strong defense. “We’ve had good practices going into Sunday’s game,” Pilon said. “We’re working on playing fast through the neutral zone, making sure everything comes from our defensive zone, and taking care of our defenses.”
With a resilient mindset and clear goals for the week, the Bears aim to bring their best against the Legionnaires this weekend.