What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
Greg Jockims is ready to put the regular season behind him ahead of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s (CEBL) first Championship Weekend.
With nearly half a season of hype leading up to this weekend’s two-day mini tournament, the Rattlers head coach and general manager looked on at his team’s final practice of the season with extra intent.
“When you build to a single-game knockout tournament, it’s going to be hyped up big time,” Jockims said. “As a team, you have to try to put that stuff aside and focus on doing your job. Ultimately, performing in a pressure situation… it comes down to staying calm and doing your job.”
It was a streaky season that led the Rattlers into the tournament as the third seed.
After losing the league’s opening game, Saskatchewan would win three in a row — one of three times it was able to accomplish the feat this season — before suffering a couple of losses.
In late May, the Rattlers went on a three game winning streak, before falling five consecutive times to fade their playoff hopes. The season was rescued with another streak, this time winning five in a row before losing last week’s season finale. It all added up to an 11-9 record and a third-place seeding in the tournament.
The Niagara River Lions, the Edmonton Stingers and Hamilton Honey Badgers join Saskatchewan in the final four.
One thing Saskatchewan has going for them this weekend is home court advantage, according to Jockims.
“When you go on the road, you tend to just be you and you might be able to focus in a little bit more, because there’s not as many extra curricular things that you get at home,” Jockims said. “On the other side of the coin, the emotion and energy from the crowd and the support that they’ll bring will probably help us.
“(A home game) adds more distractions, but it gives you more enthusiasm and energy to help you play well, so we’ll see what happens on Saturday.”
The Rattlers will face the Edmonton Stingers (14-6) in Saturday’s first semifinal. Saskatchewan had a 3-1 record against Edmonton this year, with no losses at home.
The budding rivalry is best remembered for the Rattlers 74-73 comeback win at home on Aug. 9 when Alex Campbell scored the winning bucket with just four seconds remaining after trailing by 14 at the half.
Jockims sees the brief history playing into Saturday’s game.
“All the games we’ve played against (Edmonton) have been very close, hard-fought battles, so I don’t expect anything different on Saturday,” Jockims said. “They’re favoured going in, so we’ll play hard, play together and hopefully get into that fourth quarter when it’s a close game and we can make some plays.”
Both teams flexed their defensive muscles throughout the season and Jockims sees that being the difference once again.
“We have to try to do as well as we can defensively to try and hold down some of their top players, and then in the emotional environment, try and block out distractions,” he said.
The Stingers and Rattlers tip off at 1 p.m.. Niagara and Hamilton play at 3:30. The winners will meet in the championship final at 4 p.m.