The Bombers lost both their starting goalie and, ultimately, their third straight game Saturday on the road in Yorkton.
The Terriers defeated the Bombers 4-3 in an outing that included Bomber starter Cal Schell leaving the game and not returning after a second period collision.
Yorkton got on the board in the first minute of the game, with Karsten Kruska getting the home team a 1-0 lead just 21 seconds in. Greg Nelson added a second marker for the Terriers halfway through the period, but the Bombers started to battle back. Drew Kuzma scored on a powerplay late in the frame, then Gabriel Shipper added a goal of his own late in the first to send the teams off tied at two.
The second period brought possible disaster, as late in the period, Yorkton Terrier forward Gavin Ingram was sent in all alone on a breakaway. Xavier Lapointe came back to break the play up, but knocked Ingram off his feet and into Bomber goalie Cal Schell at full speed. Schell, a possible goalie of the year candidate, was injured on the play and stayed down for several minutes. Schell was taken to the dressing room and did not return after the collision – his condition is unknown.
The Bombers’ game went downhill afterward. Schell was replaced by Ben Montgomery, who immediately stopped a penalty shot by Ingram, awarded to the Terriers when Lapointe took him down. Montgomery, coming in cold, wasn’t able to stop another chance by the Terriers moments later, as Clay Sleeva scored to give Yorkton a 3-2 lead. The Terriers’ celebration drew the ire of Bomber Matt Raymond, who was first sent off the ice, then was assessed a 10 minute misconduct. Kuzma and Ingram were both given unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after a run-in seconds later.
Colby Vranai scored for Yorkton early in the third to extend the lead. Mason Kaspick was given a two-and-a-10 for a hit to the head of Karsten Kruska early in the third.
Jaeden Mercier did manage to bring the Bombers within a goal with a powerplay marker, but the Bombers would not complete the comeback.
Montgomery was stuck with the loss, giving up the game-winner to Vranai and making 13 saves in emergency relief. Schell made 18 saves before leaving the game. Wotton stopped 35 shots in the Yorkton net.
The Bombers, less than a week after being named one of Canada’s top 20 teams, have lost their last three games, including two losses to teams outside the SJHL playoff picture. Adding insult to injury, the Terriers played the game with only 10 forwards including Ingram, a junior B call-up, compared to the Bombers’ full lineup.
Flin Flon stays atop the Sherwood division and in third place in the league overall with 65 points, but Melfort will have a chance to creep closer on both counts Saturday night. The Mustangs, who are five points back of the Bombers, face Nipawin Saturday.
Some positives came for the Bombers Saturday – the team got defender Cole Vardy back in the lineup. The Nova Scotian hadn’t played a game since Jan. 28 due to a nagging injury. Deadline acquisition Ethan Anstey, who hadn’t played since Jan. 25, also made his return to the lineup.
With the Bombers going 0-2 on their current road trip so far, the team will now make the trip across the province to the Battlefords, where they will face the Stars Sunday night. Following the road trip, the Bombers will face both Nipawin and Notre Dame at home next Wednesday and Saturday before playing five of their last six games against divisional foes.
