While the on-ice product is outstanding, the financial year for the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins hasn't been as good as one would hope.

Attendance at home games is down this season and the executive is hoping for a spike over the last month of the regular season into playoffs.

"You know, it is disappointing not to see the people coming out and filling up the stands," expressed Bruins President Cory Prokop, speaking during the first intermission of Tuesday night's home game against the Yorkton Terriers. Attendance at the game was marked down as 528.

"This is one of the better teams that we've had in Estevan in a lot of years, and it would be nice to see the support. Obviously financially, we could use the support."

Last season in 2015/16, the Bruins led the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) in attendance with an average of 1,007 fans per game, a league high. This season, Estevan is averaging an attendance of 782 fans per home game.

That number is still third in the SJHL (Battleford - 853, Yorkton - 803), but far from what the executive would like to see as a good percentage of their funds come from gate revenue.

"Given the economic conditions in Estevan again this year, it's been a challenge to get our corporate sponsorship to the levels that we expect," adds Prokop. "Season tickets sales are down as well."

"So the way we can try to build up the coffers a bit and get back to the plus side on our income statement is to see people in the stands for the rest of the season, and hopefully make a deep playoff run as well."

Since the Bruins started playing their first full season inside Affinity Place in 2011/12, Estevan has been either first or second in league attendance averaging 1,087 fans per season. (Numbers courtesy HockeyDB)

2011/12 - 1,102 (1st)

2012/13 - 1,268 (1st)

2013/14 - 1,132 (2nd)

2014/15 - 926 (2nd)

2015/16 - 1,007 (1st)

With the average attendance dropped by over 300 fans this season, combined with a reduction in corporate sponsorship, the team's bottom line has taken a massive hit.

The Bruins, who operate as a non-profit, have continued to pursue ways to get more people through the gates and the city of Estevan (owners of Affinity Place) have made adjustments to the in-game experience including deals in the food and beverage department.

Other fundraisers, including the upcoming Sportsmen's Dinner tentatively set for the end of March, will help with the end-of-year balance. However, the gate-revenue is more crucial towards the team's cash flow.

On the ice, the Estevan Bruins (29-16-0-1) are one of the top teams in the SJHL. They are first in the Viterra Division and on pace to claim their first division title since the 2006/07 season. Overall, the Bruins are 4th in the SJHL standings with 59 points as of February 9th.

The Bruins have five home games remaining in the regular season, the first of which will be played this Saturday against their highway 39 rivals: the Weyburn Red Wings.