Sunday, the Estevan Meter peewee AA Bruins took one last long look at home ice before they’ll see it again.
The Bruins lost 7-2 at the Power Dodge Ice Centre against the Brandon Wheat Kings a major AA peewee team. The game was only 4-2 after 40 minutes but the third period belonged to Brandon.
“I think we were working hard and winning some battles but in the third period, I don’t know if we were that tired or if they just started to win some battles,” said Bruins head coach Aren Miller. “I think the message here is that if you want to play at this level of hockey you’ve got to play 60 minutes to win. I think in all five games we’ve played good for patches but there’s always that ten minute part where we give up three or four goals.”
The focus and energy should be high throughout the games, even when the game starts going against you.
“You shouldn’t really have to worry about energy with these young kids,” Miller said. “I still think it’s a matter of nerves. It’s an adjustment for these kids. They’ve played house (league) hockey for some time and now they’re playing AA.”
The Bruins got goals from Sutter Baily and Carter Onrait. Turner Jacobson added two assists in the game.
The Bruins postponed their home opener from this weekend to a later date, but they will host their home tournament Oct 19-21.
“We’ll do some team bonding next weekend because we have that weekend off now and just get to know all these kids,” Miller said. “That’s the trouble with having all these kids that have played against each other for years and now they’re all teammates. That’s one of the challenges too is bringing everyone together. It’ll be good to get on the road and get everyone in a hotel, get all the parents and kids to get to know each other. It’ll be a good first step for this team going forward.”
The Bruins’ season opener in the South Saskatchewan Peewee AA Hockey League is now Oct. 9 at Weyburn. Their next league home game is Nov. 18 against Melville.
