By Michael Yahn /
The Bruins opened their season with a pair of losses but don’t expect another long, loss-filled season. The Bruins looked much-improved as they dropped 4-3 and 4-2 decisions in a home-and-home weekend series with the Kamloops Blazers.
The Bruins were in both games from the start and looked like a highly motivated group as they battled for every puck and saw solid goaltending by returnees Mark Friesen in game one and Lucas Gore in game two. The first game was the Bruins’ home opener in front of another great crowd of over 3,500 screaming fans.
The Bruins saw goals in game one from Jesse Craige, a shorthanded marker from Andy Smith and a late goal in the second frame by Kevin Sundher to get within one where the score remained despite an aggressive Bruins squad. 2009 Import Draft pick Roman Horak looked stellar in his regular season debut – he did not score but looked sharp and had two near-goal opportunities. The Bruins outshot Kamloops 40-32. Assists in the game went to Mitch Topping, Smith, Shayne Neigum, Scott Ramsay and Alexander Wiklund.
In game two, the Blazers home opener, Gore faced 20 shots in the opening period alone and was aided by five powerplay chances but the Blazers scored three unanswered goals. The Bruins attempted the comeback with a goal in the second from Ryan Howse, assisted by Horak, but more penalty trouble undid them as the home team scored again to make it 4-1, before a late goal from Bruins rookie Chris Collins made the final, 4-2. The Bruins fought hard the entire game but too much time in the box cost them.
Game two assists went to Craige, Sundher, Horak and Brandon Manning. Lucas Gore made 31 saves in a losing effort. They will play Kamloops twice next month and will also face division rivals Kelowna twice and Prince George three times before the end of October. Their first battle with Vancouver will be an afternoon game, October 12 at home, where they will look to get some energy from a big win against what looks to be another strong Giants squad this season.
Earlier in the week, Bruins head coach Mark Habscheid announced the captains for the year.
Twenty-year-old blueliner Mitch McColm will wear the ‘C’ this year after being acquired in April from the Tri City Americans. Assistant captains will be forward Shayne Neigum, also recently acquired (from the Edmonton Oil Kings), and defenceman Brandon Manning, who led all Bruins blueliners in points last season.
“McColm, Manning, and Niegum bring experience in the league and a work ethic that the Bruins expect in their players,” said assistant coach Peter Hay. “As models of what we expect, they are a big part in changing this organization into a winning tradition. They have a lot of work to do because as a leader there comes great responsibility and expectations. They will be pushed to another level while keeping a tight group together that will do anything for each other.”
The Bruins had gone 4-2 in exhibition play, including two straight over Kamloops and two over Kelowna – losing their final two to their archrivals the Vancouver Giants. The coaching staff certainly feels they are well prepared for the long season ahead and all the right players are in place. The new captains, returning vets and a few new faces are ready for battle. |