By Robb Fenton
A win is a win.
That's the mentality of the Lloydminster Bandits after their third straight home game was delayed because the opposition showed up late with far fewer than a full roster.
The Bandits hammered the Saddle Lake Warriors 12-5 Saturday night to extend their win streak to 10 and lock up second place in the NEAJBHL.
“It feels nice, that’s 10 in a row for us so it feels nice and it gets the confidence up. This was one of those weird games, but it was nice to bury a couple heading into playoffs and hopefully we can make another run at it,” Bandits forward Steven Jean said.
Jean led the attack offensively, scoring four times and adding an assist giving him 10 goals and five assists in just six games with the Bandits.
Bandits head coach Joe Young said having a guy like Jean join his top line is a perfect fit for everyone.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve. Some of the individual efforts he had out there really shows the kind of character he has. He knows how to play the game one way and that’s with hard work at all times,” Young said.
“He really complements Lenny (Young) and Mac (Ian McAllister) out there because those guys are hard workers as well and Steven has fit in really nice since he got here.”
To add a player like Jean to an already potent offensive attack allows the Bandits to roll three dangerous and effective lines.
Not only can they all score, but they take care of their own end and make life miserable for the opposition.
“It just adds to our depth. We were searching for it the first part of the year and we finally started picking up some players. I’ve always said we’re trying to get better and fortunately we did and we’re in a good position heading into the playoffs,” Young said. “Hopefully we can get a couple intense games down the stretch to get revved up for the playoffs.”
Jean has been moved around a little this season, but has found a home along side the Bandits’ captain and assistant captain on the top trio.
Regardless of who he skates beside, Jean is happy to be on a team that has a realistic shot at another league and provincial title.
“It’s good, we have a lot of talented guys that have played high-end levels. I’m playing on a line with Ian and Lenny and they move the puck well, so I just go to the net and clean up the garbage,” he said. “It’s been working well and we’re having success.”
To go along with Jean’s five points, Young had seven and five other Bandits had at least two points, proving balance will be an asset heading into the postseason.
The Bandits will play a make-up game tonight against the Tigers in Vermilion and with only two games left on the schedule, the team wants some intense competition.
“The thing about playing Vermilion is you know it’s going to be intense. They always play very well against us. They lead the league in goals against for a reason, they’re very stingy defensively and have a good system,” Young said. “We’re going to have to work a hell of a lot harder Tuesday than we had to tonight (Saturday). The guys realize that.
“We’re going to focus on the last two games of the season. If we played how we did the previous nine games, we should be fine,” Young added.
The Bandits hit the ice tonight at 8 p.m. in Vermilion.
“We really want to step it up. In close games we’ll pour it on a lot harder heading into playoffs,” Jean said.
The final game of the season is Friday, when the Bandits host the Cold Lake Ice at 7:30 p.m. at the Centennial Civic Centre.