The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Flin Flon Bombers embarked on a three-game road trip in Wilcox, Saskatchewan yesterday with a record of 5-7 as they took on the Notre Dame Hounds. If I was feeling bold enough, I would predict Bomber victory. Unfortunately I'm not in a bold, dare devil mood. While writing this, the Bombers sit in last place in the Itech Conference. While it has been a familiar spot in recent years, I'm sure the fans and team didn't expect that. Things are looking up, though. After 12 games last year, the Bombers were 3-9 and swept the lowly Kindersley Klippers at home while interim coach Brad Snyder worked to bring the ship from below sea level as the organization searched for their permanent guy. Digging into The Reminder archive, I discovered a few things. Last year, the Bombers scored 31 goals and allowed 44 in 12 games, while this year they've scored 35 and allowed 43. As you can see, a small improvement in both areas. The Bombers' leading scorer last year, Tyler Beachell, had seven goals and 14 points in 12 games. Rookie Reid McLeod has seven goals and 12 points in 12 games. Has anyone paid attention to the fact McLeod is also wearing Beachell's old number 18? Coincidence? I will let you decide. Dalton Pajak was the second leading scorer with five goals and nine points in 12 games. Dennis Kubat occupies that spot with six goals, just three shy of his career high, and 11 points in 12 games. The biggest difference this year are the contributions from rookies. Last season six played in 48 games scoring three goals, five assists for eight points. McLeod's goal totals alone fall one short of tying that. The Bombers have 11 rookies this year, but the six with points, including McLeod, have scored 15 goals and 31 points in a combined 61 games. Rookie offence accounts for 42.8 per cent of the scoring. That bodes well for next season. While this Bomber team is far from perfect, that has to be exciting for fans. This team is now 5-4 in their last nine games after starting the season 0-3. Goaltending also looks promising with 20-year-old veteran Mike Nichol, who is 3-2, and playing very well. As of Oct. 11 he is second in the league with a 2.41 goals against average and .916 save percentage. Working with rookie Calvin Bartel, once he returns from his groin injury, Stokes believes he has the SJHL's best tandem. Should the Bombers have a successful road trip, the Whitney Forum will be a cozy home.
