Rumble Strips

That's what caused a frightening sound in the middle of the night when the bus leaned too close to the side of the road at 2:05am on the way home from Brandon. It's a sound you never really get used to. It's there to alert the driver he's over too far and scare the s#*t out of all the passengers at the same time

I was wide awake. Myself along with Dean and Dave watched the snow covered Transcanada highway somewhere between Grenfell and Regina as Dan the bus driver crawled slowly along. The coaching staff contemplated pulling over or getting rooms in Regina as they worked their cellphones and blackberrys trying to get the latest highway conditions.

After a brief stop in the Queen City, the bus rolled on only to find much better conditions on the other side of Regina and onward to Moose Jaw. It kind of puts a 2-1 loss in Brandon in perspective after a white knuckle trip home like that.

The boys played hard and gave themselves a chance to get points. It was a more experienced Brandon powerplay that scored the winner as the teams traded PP chances in the third. The Broncos pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker and had chances. Twice the puck pin balled to the goal but to no avail. Joe Caliguri in the Brandon net found the puck first before the Bronco forwards crashing the goal.

Dale Wiese had a glorious PP chance in the third but was robbed. Set up in front with Caliguri out of position I was already in "goal call mode". It didn't happen, and I didn't know what happened. In talking with Dale after the game, he said Caliguri dove across and got a piece of his glove on it. "The best save I've ever seen," said Wiese as the team loaded the bus.

Jeremy Schenderling scored the Broncos only goal just 43 seconds into the game after a Caliguri giveaway behind his net. Kyle Moir was stellar making 36 saves as the game's 3rd star.

Would some team please step up and say "I WANT TO MAKE PLAYOFFS!" Saskatoon has only one win in their last seven games 1-5-0-1. The win was a victory over the Broncos.

Moose Jaw is 3-4 in their last seven games. Last night on home ice was supposed to be about getting an emotional lift from the return of Garret Robinson. They were bombed 9-3 by the Hitmen. Calgary led 3-0 even before the last note of Oh Canada was delivered.

Prince Albert has lost six in a row (0-5-0-1) but still remain in 4th in the division. PA hosts Saskatoon Sunday. They've dominated the Blades all season (6-1). They then come here to take on the Broncos Tuesday. The Broncos are a perfect 6-0.

Swift Current is 2-10-0-1 in their last 13 games - both wins have come against Prince Albert.

So what team(s) is going to make a stand? Stay tuned.

Sorry Regan for the delay in posting. I saw your game recap from Kelowna was almost instantaneous with the end of a 5-3 loss to Lethbridge. No, Kelly didn't make me cry. We always have spirited chats. Here's my favorite line from last night.

JK: There was another story in the Brandon Sun today fanning the flames for tonight's game, saying it could be a war. Do you think they do a good job of fueling the fire between these teams?

Kelly Mac: I don't know Jon, you'll have to ask James Shewaga (Brandon Sun Reporter), he's the big chubby guy in the press box beside you.


It's become clear to me I need to pick up a digital camera to help enhance this blog. I could have pictures from the road, and other fun moments that happen throughout the course of a trip. I could take a pic of a sickly looking Mike Fraser (my colorman last night) after too many at Houstons the night before, (sorry Mike). I think that's the next thing on the list. I've seen some great blogs lately that use the picture element nicely.

No Saturday night off, it's down to the Western Women's Hockey League game between the Calgary Oval Extreme and the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice tonight at the Civic Center.

More tomorrow, I promise.

Jon