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Nearly 630 fans saw the Flin Flon Bombers earn a 3-2 victory over the Humboldt Broncos in a shootout Tuesday night. The Broncos earned an early lead in the game as they were up 2-0 going into the second period. An early goal from Alex Lamontagne, with help from Mike Rey and Deven Stillar, got the ball rolling for the Bombers as they were able to tie up the score late in the third period. Rey (Brennan Cox, Tanner Korchinski) scored the team's second goal with five minutes to go Ð giving them overtime. "...we get an opportunity finally on a power play and Reyzer (comes in) with a beautiful shot," said head coach and GM Mike Reagan. "It was huge for us." Neither the Broncos nor the Bombers could get one past their opposing goalies and the teams were forced to a shootout. Matt Weninger was a wall for the Bombers. Having the choice, Weninger opted to have the Bombers shoot first. "I thought that if Reyzer could shoot first, that would put some pressure on them and also take a lot of pressure off us," said Reagan. A shot from Rey trickled in through the five-hole against Andrew Bodnarchuk, sending fans to their feet. Weninger stopped the first Bronco shot. Stillar started at the top of the circle for Flin Flon's second shot as he made it seem effortless to get past Bodnarchuk. The Broncos were still unable to get past Weninger. The Bombers celebrated at the net as they earned the win 3-2. The Game Reagan says a few mistakes cost his team the two goals the Broncos put up in the first period. "...we didn't play that bad," he said. "We were in their end the whole time, but when they did get opportunities, we had defensive breakdowns. See 'Pass' on pg. Continued from pg. "The first goal, (Corey) Tyrell gives a pass right up the middle and you can't be doing that. It's a bad mistake by him," said Reagan. "And the second goal, in our D-zone, we were just running around and when you don't play your systems, that's what's going to happen." The coach says the team didn't play badly. "...we were down 2-0 after the fist, and yet, we were the better team." The second period brought total domination by the Bombers. Heading into the dressing room for the second intermission, down 2-1, Reagan gave the team a pep talk. "In the intermission we just asked the boys to give the exact same period as they did in the second," he said. "I told them, 'if you guys play like we did in the second period, we're going to win this hockey game.' "And, I thought we did a good job. We found a way to win." Being down on the scoreboard can often bring a team down, but the Maroon and White bench boss said he was proud of his players for staying so disciplined. Taking a win over the Broncos is a big confidence booster for the Bombers. The last two playoff seasons, the Broncos have swept the Bombers in four games for the win. So, Reagan says, when they are able to claim a win over the champions, it is big. "...we just feel like every win against Humboldt is a character builder for us,"he said. "We've had that mentality for so many years, it's been tough to get through." Making note of the playoff losses, the coach says, "it's a little extra special when you are able to beat them now." The Shootout Following a scoreless overtime, the teams faced each other in a shootout Ð something Reagan finds entertaining. "You know, I look down our bench and I like our chances going into a shootout," he said. "I think we have the best goalie in the league and I think we have probably some of the most skilled guys in the league." Tuesday's win over the Broncos earned Reagan his 33rd win this season, tying his 2007-08 total. With eight games remaining, the Bombers hope to make to it to 40 wins Ð something that has only been done once in Bombers' history. The Bombers face off in Melfort tonight and then Humboldt tomorrow night. Melfort is sure to be a crowd-pleasing game as the Bombers and Mustangs have fire between them. "It's good. It's exciting for the fans, you know," said Reagan. "...you can look at it as (we) don't like to play against each other, but we love playing against each other."
