The Estevan Bruins started 2018 off on a high note as they swept the Weyburn Red Wings to open the new year. They came back to earth last weekend, however, dropping two games in two nights to the Melfort Mustangs and Humboldt Broncos.

Now, the Bruins weren't outclassed in either game by any means. The game in which head coach and GM Chris Lewgood felt they came with a lesser effort was the game they had more to show for in the standings with an overtime loss to the Broncos. But this time of year there are no moral victories, not with the Red Wings nipping at their heels atop the Viterra division.

The other problem with dropping games like that is the Bruins consider themselves to be a good team, and their place in the SJHL standings would seem to back that up. But to be the best team, they'll need to beat the other best teams.

Melfort and Humboldt are both good teams with good records. Estevan came into those games motivated to prove themselves, and we've seen what they can do when they take that attitude. They've beaten seemingly-invincible Battlefords twice this year, and beaten SJHL-leading Nipawin as well. Yet they came out of the weekend series against the Mustangs and Broncos almost empty-handed. 

The Bruins have stated in the past they want to win a championship this year. That's been their goal since the start of the season, and that hasn't changed. This team still believes in itself, and should.

The road to that championship, however, is going to run through good teams. A rematch with Battlefords after last year's sweep may be in the cards, or perhaps a showdown with Nipawin. Perhaps both. Either way, the Bruins are going to have punch above their weightclass (at least as far as the standings are concerned) to meet their year-long goal.

Weekends like this most recent one have that extra sting to them with the playoffs ahead, knowing it may be potential series opponents they've dropped points against. The month does get easier on paper, though the Bruins would no doubt welcome more chances to take on the SJHL's best. The Bruins will see Humboldt twice and Battlefords once on their coming road trip at the end of January. 

Before that, however, it's a double-header against Kindersley, and that series has significance too. For one thing, Estevan needs to pile up points while they can, and facing Kindersley, Weyburn, and Yorkton in the next two weeks, likely represents their best chance for a while, with February looking tough. Kindersley is also the only team in the SJHL the Bruins have yet to beat, having not seen them since September 22. The Bruins have a chance to avenge that loss and build their way up the standings.

The Bruins also need those wins to get their confidence up ahead of a tough February. The Bruins will have to beat the best to be the best, and they'll get a chance to test themselves throughout the next month.

So passes another Bruins blog. Rob Mahon, logging off.