It's always a priority to win the SJHL survivor series as quickly as possible, but it will be even more important for the Estevan Bruins given the schedule for their series against the Notre Dame Hounds.
If the series goes the distance, the teams will play five games in six nights, and the winner will presumably only get one day off before taking on Weyburn.
Here are the dates (*if necessary):
Game 1: Friday, Feb. 24 in Estevan
Game 2: Saturday, Feb. 25 in Wilcox
Game 3: Monday, Feb. 27 in Estevan
*Game 4: Tuesday, Feb. 28 in Wilcox
*Game 5: Wednesday, Feb. 29 in Estevan
I can't remember seeing a playoff series going three nights in a row in my time covering the SJHL. Sure, the teams are only 90 minutes apart, but that is still a tall order. Unless the winning team can wrap it up in three or four games, you'd have to think they will be a very tired and banged up club going into the Weyburn series.
Meanwhile, the Bruins and Red Wings kick off a season-ending home-and-home series tonight in Weyburn. The second game is Sunday in Estevan.
Two APs will be in the lineup tonight: 1994 F Dylan Johner and 1995 F Darcy Deroose. They're filling in for Taylor Reich (shoulder, 2-3 weeks) and Ben Johnstone (upper-body, will play Sunday).
Johner, a local product, has 24 points in 42 games with the Moose Jaw Generals. Deroose has 43 points in 41 games with the Generals.
Apparently Weyburn now has their own version of Vancouver's Green Men (the Red Men) so that should be interesting.
Finally, there will be some extra things to look forward to at Sunday's game. The Bruins' new mascot, Bruino the Bear, will be unveiled before puck drop, with a back story that I may or may not have concocted out of the disturbing depths of my brain.
Also, eight players' jerseys will be auctioned off live: Froese, Johnstone, Perrault, Smith, Whitehill, Reich, Jelinski and Dochylo.
