The Estevan TS&M Bruins are now looking ahead to a busy month of October after starting the season 1-3. The young and inexperienced team is learning quickly that performing on a consistent basis night in and night out is key to their success. The team will look to apply what they have learned to their busy weekend ahead.

"We put a good game on Yorkton and even the following game against the Saskatoon Maniacs we probably deserved a better fate," explained Head Coach Tom Copeland when talking about the teams start to the season. "We gave up a goal with a minute to go to lose that hockey game, the kids played well and there was a lot of positives to take out of it. The following day against the Wolfpack we had just a bit of a hang over from the day before against the Maniacs. Losing 4-1 to the Generals, the effort level just wasn't there and the kids now know that we have to be better than that."

After the first four games of the season, Copeland pointed to just how high the level of compete is in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League this season.

"It's all part of the learning process, I think the league is proving that it's going to be a lot tighter than we thought it was going to be. Our kids our learning that they can compete against anyone, we're a month into it and we are probably on track to where we thought we would be, we just have to keep the plan in place."

He also mentioned the play of goaltender Zane Winter and the other four returnees as the main drivers of the team.

"He came into the season ready to play," Copeland said of Winter. "To be quite frank, all of our returning players have played very well and they are shouldering a big load with nine rookies on the club. We're proud of those guys and they're learning to stay up beat and positive. They know this is a process and we're still gunning for a top spot in the division. These early games are good for us, it gives the kids instant exposure to what it's going to take to win in the league."

The bantams will have their hands full this weekend with a triple header against a trio of south division foes starting on Friday, October 13th in Swift Current.

"Swift Current won the league last year and they returned a lot of those guys. They haven't had the start they wanted to but they are dangerous and could break out at any time. The Monarchs are the best team in Regina by far and Prairie Storm is a perennial favorite. The month of October is a brutal schedule for us but the kids just have to figure it out. We're missing a pair of defensemen this weekend due to suspension and injury. But there's no excuses, Zane(Winter) will get two games and Jackson(Miller) will see one and hopefully they can give us a chance to win."

Friday, October 13th

Estevan TS&M Bruins @ Swift Current Kabos Broncos 5:30 - Fairview West

Saturday, October 14th

Estevan TS&M Bruins @ Regina Monarchs 4:30 - Doug Wickenheiser

Sunday, October 15th

Prairie Storm @ Estevan TS&M Bruins 2:30 - Affinity Place

Click here for the TS&M Bruins full schedule.