For the first time in more than a year, the Flin Flon Bombers have lost to La Ronge.
The Ice Wolves dealt Flin Flon their sixth-straight loss Friday night, ending the game 5-2.
The Bombers started the game hot, with rookie Ethan Daniels scoring the first goal of the game less than a minute after the opening faceoff. Late in the period, La Ronge forward Connor Smith tied the game at one goal apiece, scoring on rookie netminder Niklas Anderson. Anderson started the game in place of Brenden Newton, who was not in the lineup for the Bombers. With Newton unavailable, newly-acquired third goalie Reese Jones suited up as a backup.
In the second period, La Ronge took control. Ben Manson, the brother of former Bomber and current Anaheim Duck Josh Manson, scored early in the second frame for the Ice Wolves. Tanner Brewster added another goal minutes later. Despite only icing 16 skaters, La Ronge led 3-1 after forty minutes.
Drayton ThunderChief took his spot on the scoresheet in the third period, making it a 4-1 game for La Ronge. Rookie sensation Chrystopher Collin stopped the bleeding for the Bombers with a late goal, but Smith scored again two minutes later, sealing the defeat for Flin Flon. La Ronge had earned their second win of the season, while Flin Flon lost to a team with the SJHL's worst record.
Anderson made 32 saves in a losing cause. Ice Wolves goalie Merek Pipes, playing his first game for the team after being traded for the second time this season, got the win. Pipes made 46 saves in his Ice Wolves debut.
The Bombers had not lost to La Ronge since September 2016, when the Ice Wolves won a 4-3 overtime duel. Since then, Flin Flon had beaten the Ice Wolves in 11 straight games.
The Bombers had also earned a point in every game they'd played against La Ronge since November 2015 - a streak that was snapped Friday night.
The loss gives the Bombers their fifth consecutive road loss. The team is now in danger of going 0-6 during their latest road trip, having already lost to Humboldt, Notre Dame, Weyburn and Estevan. The Bombers will suit up again Saturday night in Battlefords, hoping to break the losing skid against the Stars.
