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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Flin Flon Bombers put disbelief to rest Tuesday night as they defeated the Battlefords North Stars 3-2 in game four of the Elimination Series. Sending the North Stars packing, the Bombers will move on to the Conference Semifinals against the La Ronge Ice Wolves this weekend Ð while Battlefords' players will wait for the snow to disappear for an early golf season. Tuesday night, the visitors' backs were against the Whitney Forum wall as the Bombers were hot on their game. To keep their season going, the North Stars needed to win Tuesday to bring the fifth game home. But Corey Tyrell made sure that wasn't going to happen as the laid claim to two of the three goals against Kyle Birch. Taking the lead in the first period, the Bombers kept it to a 1-0 game Ð similar to the second game of the series when the Bombers went on to win 3-0; a goal a period. But the tables turned as the North Stars tied the game with a goal at 9:26 against PJ Musico. The game remained tied at 1-1 for the rest of the second period. The third period, however, had the Bombers taking the lead once again. Tyrell was in the right place at the right time as the puck bounced off Travis Sparrow's stick and into the net. The lead didn't last long as the North Stars picked up their second goal of the night. In true Maroon and White fashion, the Bombers were kept the shots coming. Newcomer Ashton Bernard Ð better known for fighting Ð scored the game-winning goal to send the North Stars packing. Came on Strong Battlefords came on strong with a few more shots Ð including one possible goal, but it was blown down for being offside before it actually hit the net. The Bombers celebrated a much-needed and deserved win Tuesday night. Head coach and GM Mike Reagan said it was a "huge weight" lifted off the team's shoulders. "This season...hasn't been the way I had planned," said a very happy coach. "We just continued to believe in the guys." Reagan, a former Bomber himself, says he was glad they kept their faith in the team. "I think that right now it feels pretty good that our decision was right to believe in the guys. It showed a lot of character." The Bombers were out of the gates focused and hard on their North Stars' case Ð exactly what Reagan said, Monday night, they would have to do. "Not a lot of people gave us a chance in this series, or any time, but it feels pretty good tonight, that's for sure," said Reagan. The Score Sitting with a tied, and intense, game on the line, Reagan says it wasn't nearly as nerve-wracking as someone might think. "I was trying to kept the guys focused as much as possible and trying to make sure they understood how important this game was." The Bombers were tired, and rightfully so as the team has played a lot of hockey in the last month and a half. "When they're tired, it's easy to just say, 'well maybe next game,' said Reagan. The Bombers hardly did that. The Maroon and White kept their heads up and pushed through the fatigue. "When you're playing a team with their backs up against the wall, you know they're going to throw everything at you," said the coach. And the North Stars did. The team came out and played their best game of the series, according to Reagan. "Their team was phenomenal, tonight." Turning back to his team, Reagan says there were some big highlights Tuesday night. "PJ Musico was unbelievable for us," said Reagan. Sticking to his notion that Musico is the best goaltender in the SJHL, Reagan called him the MVP of the league. "...he's the most valuable player to our team. Without him, we'd be in a lot of trouble." Still over the moon with Tuesday's win, the Bombers look to the La Ronge Ice Wolves this weekend. The team took a day off on Wednesday, but were back on the ice for a skate on Thursday. As of press time Thursday, it was undecided when the Conference Semifinals would start Ð tonight or tomorrow. As the top team in the series, the Ice Wolves have a choice of when to play. Reagan was hoping for a Saturday start, but said in all likelihood, the teams would face off tonight. As of press time, the winner of the Sherwood Elimination Series had not yet been determined.The Melville Millionaires and the Estevan Bruins were tied with two wins each.
