In their first game back post-holiday break, the Bombers got a 3-2 win against Sherwood division rivals Nipawin.
The Bombers struck first, getting goals courtesy of a Cole Vardy point shot and a Zak Smith high slot shot that went post-in on Chase Hamm.
With Flin Flon up 2-0, the tides turned and things got nasty. Nipawin's Rylan Lefebvre caught Flin Flon defender Cory King from behind with a hit, driving him headfirst into the boards. That hit drew a crowd and sparked a small brawl. When the dust settled, the refs picked some players from the pile and doled out penalties - Bomber Brett Wieschorster and Nipawin's Eric Robbie were both given five minutes for fighting and were tossed from the game. Flin Flon's Matt Raymond and the newly acquired Drew Kuzma both got two minute minors and 10-minute misconducts, along with the Hawks' Christian Albertson and Lefebvre, who stayed in the game. Seventy-eight minutes in penalties were added to the game sheet.
Nipawin came back in the second period, with Lefebvre, now out of the box, scoring a powerplay goal to get the home team on the scoresheet. Kye Whillans added a second powerplay goal a minute later, tying the game at 2s.
In the third, the Bombers moved ahead for good with an early powerplay goal of their own. Jaeden Mercier, back in the lineup for his first game since Oct. 20, snuck in with the extra man and beat Hamm five-hole for his first goal in two-and-a-half months, clinching a win for the visitors.
Bomber goalie Cal Schell made 16 saves in a slow night in the Bomber crease, while Hamm made 29 saves for the home team.
The Bombers' schedule is now in flux - originally slated to play a home and home set this weekend with Melfort, the schedule changed with the Mustangs suspending play due to COVID-19 cases. In response, the Bombers will go to La Ronge and play the Ice Wolves Jan. 8, a make-up date for a game between the two sides that was postponed Jan. 1.
The Bombers' next home game is not scheduled until Jan. 22, when the Mustangs will come to town. Manitoba health orders currently limit attendance at indoor events like hockey games to 250 people maximum, but the latest round of health orders expires Jan. 11.
