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.
NHL rinks may be quiet these days, but who needs to watch millionaires prance around the ice when you've got the Flin Flon Bombers and the Whitney Forum to keep you entertained? Yes, another season of hockey is upon us, and the puck will drop for the first time on the 2004-05 season tonight at the Whitney Forum when the Flin Flon Bombers host the La Ronge Ice Wolves at 7:30 p.m. The Bombers will be looking to improve on their 17-31-12 record from last year, and have their sights set on making the playoffs for the first time since the Royal Bank Cup season of 2001. Every game is an important game this year, as the schedule has been reduced to 55 games from 60, giving teams less time to make up ground down the stretch. Francois Laverdiere will be the man between the pipes for the Bombers this season. His exciting style of play can often be described as acrobatic and is worth the price of admission alone. Backing him up this year will be 18-year-old Micheal Pilote who the Bombers are confident can step in and take over on any given night. Veterans Stewart Sjoberg and Andrew Skrabek will make up two-thirds of the top line. Skrabek had 46 points in 52 games last year, while Sjoberg notched 27 points in 44 games. Rounding out the top line will be newcomer Tyler Beachell who had 46 points in 39 games with the Interlake Lightning of the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' League last season. Flin Flon's leading scorer from last season is back, and with a year of experience under his belt. With 48 points in 60 games last year, a lot of eyes will be on Joey Moggach to provide an offensive punch. Playing alongside Moggach will likely be Kyle Holmes, and centering the line could be either Robert Martynowski or Mike McKinna. Other forwards to watch for will be David Holinaty, Jimo King and Quinn McIntosh. On the point, Bob Graham is the top returning defenceman from last year and joining him will be Keith Spencer who will make his triumphant return to the Bomber lineup this weekend. Also returning on the blue line are Darryl Fransoo and Eric Knutson, and the Bombers picked up Fritz Sauter in the off season from the Estevan Bruins. Unfortunately, locals Bradey Fidierchuk and Richard Dupre will have to wait a while to make their home debut, as they will be sitting out the opening game of the season with a suspension, along with Kevin Burwell. The Ice Wolves promise to be contenders this year, under new head coach Bob Beatty, who has a history of success in the SJHL. Beatty left Humboldt for La Ronge after last season and brought with him the league's number one netminder in Alex Gagnon. Gagnon led the league last season with a stingy 2.42 goals against average and a 0.926 save percentage. Evan Vossen, TJ Schneider and Kurt Surine all looked good for the Wolves in the preseason, and former rookie of the year Jeff Marshall looks to have another solid year. Out of 55 games this season, the Ice Wolves and Bombers will clash a total of 10 times, so these first two games against their northern rivals will be important ones for the Bombers. "We want to get the weekend off to a good start at home," said head coach Ryan Hoffman. "We want to get a 'W' before we take to the road. This weekend is important to us for many reasons. Having success on Friday will be a key to us getting the ball rolling this season. We would also like to get a road win earlier than we did last year." Last season, the Bombers' first road win came on December 12 in Kindersley against the Klippers. After the home-and-home series with La Ronge this weekend, the Bombers will be in Saskatoon for the SJHL Scholarship tournament. Unlike last season, games from this season's tournament will count towards the regular season standings. Flin Flon will have to contend with Weyburn, Estevan and Melville at the tournament. Following the tournament, Flin Flon's next home action will be on October 1 when the Estevan Bruins come to town. The Melville Millionaires will be right on their heals, facing off against the Bombers at the Whitney Forum on October 2. Tonight's game will be the only home game for the Bombers in September. Make sure you are in your seats early for the player introductions. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
