By Nathan Kanter

Bruins focusing on transition game, defence ahead of series with North Stars

Mar 29, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The acquisition of 20-year-old goaltender Bo Didur at the January trade deadline changed a lot for the Estevan Bruins.

In their first 36 games of the year, the Bruins allowed 3.36 goals against per game. But in the 26 games since the calendar changed to 2018, the team only allowed 2.54 goals against per game, an improvement of nearly a goal against per game.

“The biggest difference was solidiying the goaltending position,” Bruins head coach Chris Lewgood said in a phone interview one day ahead of game one of the semifinals against the Battlefords North Stars. “Along with an added emphasis from a team aspect on the defensive side of the game. The guys have worked real hard to tighten things up and as a result, the two things have come together and worked real well for us.”

Didur posted a 12-5-1-1 record, 2.46 goals-against-average and .920 save percentage in 19 regular season games and posted a .955 save percentage in the quarter-finals against Kindersley (106 saves on 111 shots).

Team defence and their transition game have been areas of emphasis for the Bruins ever since they got past the Klippers in four straight games last week.

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“We do pay close attention to what our opponent is doing. In this case the Stars, but our priority right now is just fine tuning some of the things that we’ve laid out as priorities,” Lewgood said. “We need to have that 200-foot game. We need to transition well from defence to offence and we need to react and get into a defensive mindset as soon as we turn over possession.”

The season series between the North Stars and Bruins was even at three wins apiece, but the North Stars did finish with 13 more points in the regular season standings.

“We think we have a fair chance,” Lewgood said. “I don’t mind being a bit of an underdog. It keeps the guys honest. With the discrepency in the standings, you can see that we are [the underdog]. But for the most part, I think we match up fairly well to keep it competitive.”

Last year’s sweep at the hands of the Stars is not something that is being used as motivation.

“I’m sure the series is something our veteran players remember and can access to find a little something extra but for the most part our inspiration comes from within the room,” Lewgood said. “We have a group of guys that will do anything to win for each other.”

The Bruins know they can score.

They were the only team in the regular season with three 30-goal scorers, as Zach Goberis, Kaelan Holt, and Michael McChesney all passed that threshold. 

But it may well be their play without the puck that determines this series.

“If we play our game, we give ourselves a chance,” Lewgood said. “If we let them dictate the pace and try to play their game, then it’s an uphill battle.”

And of course, special teams matter too.

“At the end of the day, it’s playoff hockey, and I think every coach is going to say discipline is a key,” Lewgood added. “We need our special teams to be performing.”

In the first round, half of the Bruins goals came on the power play, as it went 7-for-22, or 31.8 per cent. The North Stars power play went a miserable 1-for-16, or 6.3 per cent.

Puck drop for game one on Friday is set for 7:30 p.m., with NorSask North Stars hockey getting underway at 7 p.m. on CJNB/CJNS.

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11