Miller enjoying smooth transition to the SJHL
Arthur Miller is paying attention to two teams during the junior hockey playoffs.
Although his priority is to help the Estevan Bruins win the SJHL title, the Regina-born Miller is also paying attention to the fortunes of his previous squad, the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos.
“I played (with Swift Current) for three years, so I’ve got a bunch of best buds there,” the 20-yearold left-winger said. “I wish them the best and I hope they go to the conference final.”
The Broncos are to meet the Moose Jaw Warriors on Monday, 7 p.m., at Mosaic Place in Game 7 of a best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.
On Saturday against the host Nipawin Hawks, Miller scored the game-winning goal in Game 1 of the SJHL final, snapping a 2-2 tie at 19:22 of the second period. Estevan added two empty-net goals late in the third period.
The Hawks and Bruins were to meet again Sunday in Nipawin. The best-of-seven series moves to Estevan for games Tuesday and Wednesday at Affinity Place. Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. both nights.
Miller joined the Bruins early this season after being released by Swift Current.
Formerly of the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians, Miller had 21 goals and 18 assists in 40 regularseason games with Estevan. He had six goals and six assists in 10 playoff games heading into Sunday’s contest in Nipawin.
Miller has enjoyed his time with the Bruins despite having previously played at a higher tier.
“It’s great,” he said. “They welcomed me from Day 1. We’ve got a bunch of guys that I played with on the Pat Canadians. We’re probably the tightest group, I think, in the (league).”
The transition to the SJHL was eased by the presence of Chris Lewgood, the Bruins’ head coach andgeneralmanager.
“It was a really easy switch,” Miller said. “Chris is the best coach I’ve had. He’s a player’s coach. He understands us and he knows what I want and he knows what we need. He’s always there for us.”
Emerald Park product Jayden Halbgewachs scored a power-play goal 1:14 into triple overtime Saturday to give Moose Jaw a 3-2 win over Swift Current at the Credit Union iplex, forcing a seventh game.
Saturday ’s contest was the third overtime game of the series and the longest of the three after going to single and double OT in games 3 and 4, respectively. Moose Jaw prevailed in Game 6 despite being outshot 60-38.
Goals by Matteo Gennaro and Tyler Steenbergen put Swift Current ahead 2-0. However, Jett Woo and Brett Howden scored thirdperiod goals for Moose Jaw to force overtime.
Warriors goaltender Brody Willms was named the first star with a 58-save effort. Swift Current’s Stuart Skinner made 35 saves.