Courtesy MiHockeyNow.com

BERKLEY, Mich. - In watching a Berkley Bruins game or watching the players and coaches interact on and off the ice, the casual observer may be stunned to realize the Bruins’ record isn’t where they would want it to be.

The fact is, the Bruins are a team that defines success as daily improvement, whether in practices or games.

First-year Berkley head coach Dan Pszenyczny said whether his squad is winning games or giving it their all in a tough loss, he’s been impressed through the first 12 games of the Midwest Junior Hockey League season.

“Through the first 12 games, I’ve seen individuals come together and play like a team,” Pszenyczny said. “These kids never give up, whether down by one or down by four. The team is showing improvements every time they touch the ice.” 

Two weekends ago, the Bruins earned their first weekend sweep of the season with three straight 6-5 wins at the Berkley Ice Arena over the Alpena Flyers. The first two games were decided late in the third period, while the finale on Oct. 19 went to a dramatic shootout.

Jacob Gorzelski is starting to emerge as the team’s starting goalie and like Pszenyczny alluded to, is thrilled with the team’s chemistry and refusal to quit on any given day.

“Well, I like how we are starting to get closer as a team,” said Gorzelski. “Our record doesn't show how good our team actually is because we are much better than that and we will only keep getting better as the season progresses. The team chemistry right now has never been stronger. Win or lose, we are a family and stay close no matter what happens.”

Gorzelski added that he relishes the pressure that comes with his position.

“With each game, there's a lot of pressure that a goaltender will face, and I do my best to have fun with it, but my team counts on me to do my job each and every night,” Gorzelski said.

The Bruins do have their share of veterans in forwards Tim Muhsman, Colton James and Alex Anderson, steady defensemen Evan Wilson, Dalton Gertsen (acquired recently from Traverse City) and Cristian Purdom and goaltender Hunter Myers.

Wilson played for Berkley last year and has taken on a leadership role this season.

“As a second-year player, I try to keep the younger guys’ nerves calm, make nobody on the team feel nervous or intimidated and let them know that I got their backs during the games,” said Wilson. “I like how we have small team which for the most part, is made up of ‘try-hards’ -  just about everybody gives it their all every game.”

This weekend, the Bruins play just a single game at home, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against the MC Monarchs.

“Look out for the rest of the season,” said Gorzelski. We are only getting better and as long as we can find a way to stay out of the box, we will have a very successful season moving forward.”

“The rest of the way, I'd like to see the team be more disciplined, stay out of the box,” added Pszenyczny. “If we can play the way I know we can play, night in and night out, we can be one of the top teams in the league.”

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