The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is in playoff mode and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where youSA国际影视传媒檒l find YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Ethan Anstey preparing for another post-season.

The 19-year-old forward and his Flin Flon Bombers are preparing to kick off the quarter-finals against the Battlefords North Stars with Game 1 in North Battleford on Friday evening. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a battle of fourth vs. fifth in the league following the regular season with the Bombers finishing just behind the North Stars in the standings.

That makes no difference to Anstey, who said itSA国际影视传媒檚 a toss-up but he feels the Bombers are much better than the standings show.

SA国际影视传媒淲e played them six times (in the regular season) and won four of them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 only played in two of those games but the coaching staff said we shouldSA国际影视传媒檝e won all six. It doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 show how well we played all season. I feel like we should be a top-three team but we had a bad February.SA国际影视传媒�

How bad was it? The Bombers were sitting in third place at the start of the month, 14 points up ahead of the fourth-placed team at the time. A four-game losing streak was the exclamation mark on what was a miserable February for the team.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat losing streak was the longest one we had all year but ISA国际影视传媒檓 glad we went through it then and not now,SA国际影视传媒� said Anstey. SA国际影视传媒淎 four-game losing streak in the playoffs means youSA国际影视传媒檙e out and we faced some tough moments back then. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 easier to have that happen in the regular season because you learn from it and you make sure you fix it before the playoffs begin. It was a speed bump.SA国际影视传媒�

The reason Anstey only played in two of those six contests is because heSA国际影视传媒檚 only been a member of the Bombers since January. He began the season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BC Hockey League, where he played with fellow Yellowknifer Sam Schofield, before being dealt to the Bombers early in the new year. He played 15 games with the Bombers, putting up two assists in that time.

Anstey said Flin Flon is a lot like Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淪ame type of weather, same type of landscape, same type of feel,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚f ISA国际影视传媒檓 being honest, I liked not having to go out and start my car in the morning. I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to do that in B.C. but Flin Flon has treated me really well.SA国际影视传媒�

The first two games of the series are in North Battleford on Friday and Saturday with Games 3 and 4 in Flin Flon on Tuesday and Wednesday. If necessary, Game 5 will be in North Battleford, Game 6 in Flin Flon and Game 7 in North Battleford.

Should the Bombers emerge victorious, Anstey isnSA国际影视传媒檛 fussy who they get in the semifinal because thereSA国际影视传媒檚 one goal in mind.

SA国际影视传媒淕etting to the RBC Cup (Canadian Jr. A Championship) is what we want,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur coach, Mike Regan, has been coaching here 15 years and heSA国际影视传媒檚 never been there. He tells us heSA国际影视传媒檚 a Bomber for life and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 our mindset SA国际影视传媒� get to the national championship. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 care who we have to play to get there.SA国际影视传媒�