The Bombers couldn't get it done Tuesday, losing to Melfort and falling to fifth in the league standings.
The Mustangs scored three goals in a row to end up with a 3-2 victory, taking two points in the Bombers' last regular season game in the Whitney Forum this season.
Things started well enough in the first - Drew Kuzma opened the scoring early and Mason Kaspick added a goal of his own, giving the Bombers an early 2-0 lead. It wouldn't last.
Logan Cox didn't make full contact with the puck, but just the tip was enough, tipping it past Cal Schell to get Melfort on the board. Trenton Curtis would tie it up midway through the second period to tie the game, with a point shot being flubbed thanks to a broken stick but landing right on Curtis' tape, leading to the goal. The Mustangs gained a lead later in the second with Nolan Doell finding a spot on a rush, making it 3-2.
The Bombers were unable to get any leverage going on the powerplay or even with an empty net, missing passes and firing wide. Flin Flon put 39 shots on Melfort's net, but Joel Favreau stopped 37 of them, getting the victory. Schell saved 27 shots.
Before the game, the Bombers were two points behind the Mustangs, who were in third place in the league. The win extends the Mustangs' lead to four points, 75 to 71. Making matters worse, the Battlefords North Stars beat Nipawin Tuesday night, allowing them to also leapfrog the Bombers in the standings and putting Flin Flon outside of playoff home game advantage territory.
The Bombers have two games left this season, both on the road and both against the teams they're fighting in the standings. A rematch against Melfort Thursday will have major implications, as will the season finale in Battlefords Friday night.
The best the Bombers can finish is third place - the worst is fifth. The Bombers will need to win both of their remaining games to catch Melfort in the standings - the Bombers hold key tiebreakers over Melfort and two victories would put Flin Flon ahead of their division rivals. Battlefords still plays two games after their date with the Bombers, both against teams in the lower half of the league standings. If Flin Flon wins both of their remaining games, Battlefords would need at least three points to overtake the Bombers in the standings once more.
If Flin Flon loses against Melfort again, they are guaranteed either fourth or fifth. If Flin Flon loses against Battlefords, even if they beat Melfort, or if they lose both games, they will be guaranteed fifth place as both Melfort and Battlefords would have more points, losing home ice advantage.
