Big Week Ahead

It's a huge week to say the least.

Prince Albert is here Tuesday, it's up to Saskatoon Wednesday, west to Medicine Hat Friday, and then on to Kootenay Saturday.

The first two games will be the key to the week. The Broncos host Prince Albert who as we speak lead Saskatoon 2-1 in the third period. A win by them would vault them past the Broncos for third in the east division. The Broncos are 6-0 vs P.A. this season and need the two points desperately with the the points race tightening up to a stretch run high from 3rd to 6th in the standings.

Wednesday, the Broncos need to dish up some revenge in Saskatoon. The Blades have had the Broncos number as the teams meet for the 8th and final time this season. The Blades lead the season series 5-2.

This team, like most right now will have to fight through injuries and a depleted line-up. This is the time when you play through those nagging injuries and get the job done. I'm not sure who the Broncos will be calling up this week depending on who's available.

Around the WHL it was a Saturday night fight-fest. A line brawl in Kamloops featured the Blazers and Cougars going at it midway in the 2nd. The Blazers have not had a good month of February and were obviously frustrated. Suddenly, the Blazers just look ok. A 6-5 OT loss to Chilliwack and a 6-3 loss to PG - both on home ice this weekend has the Blazers looking for answers.

Two heavyweights dropped the mits in S'toon last night. Garret Klotz and Aaron Boogard had a good battle early in the first period. Call it a draw, maybe a slight edge to Boogy junior.

Kelowna also showed some frustration late in their game with Chilliwack. With the score 7-1 in the third favoring the Bruins, back-to-back fights would break out. The main event being James Mcewan and Matt McCue.

Speaking of scraps, there was a line brawl to end the "AAA" Legionnaires season today. In a game carried on the Eagle 94.1 FM, the Regina Pat Canadians scored 8 goals on the powerplay (yes 8!) in a 9-2 thumping of the Legion. The hometown club finishes off the season winless in 15. I'm sure some couldn't wait for the season to be over.

The Western Womens Hockey League game was just ok Saturday night at the Civic Center. The Calgary Oval Extreme skated to a 6-2 win. All the big names from the Oval Extreme were absent. All of the national team members were no-shows due to prior or national team commitments. Some of the players that impressed included Carla Mcleod and Kaley Hall. The rematch was earlier today at the Fairview.

I know a lot of the Broncos went to a special birthday party today. "Kyle", a special needs boy who helps out in the Broncos dressing room had a birthday party that most of the team made it out to.

Just listening . . . the Raiders add the empty-netter for the 3-1 win over Saskatoon to jump by the Broncos by a single point for 3rd in the east division. The good news is that the Blades are held at bay. They sit in 5th place - 5 points back of the Broncos.

Here's how it looks now:

Raiders 56
Broncos 55
Blades 50
Warriors 49

Top two in, bottom two out.

Check back for a game preview on Monday,
Jon