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.
Starting off their final home stretch of the regular season, the Flin Flon Bombers faced off against the Hawks Sunday as both teams earned a point in overtime with a 3-2 win going to Nipawin. Though the game went into overtime, the Bombers kept a lead over the Hawks until the third period. The first period was a "tremendous" show of effort from the Bombers, according to head coach and GM Mike Reagan. "I'm very happy with the way we played," he said, noting the team was up 1-0 by the end of the 20 minutes. Although Reagan says the first period was dominated by the Bombers, the home team slowly gave in as the Hawks picked up their speed. But nonetheless, the coach says it was still a good game. Expectations were in the air for a win, as always, for the Bombers. "I thought we were really going to give it to them tonight," says Reagan. "Nothing changed," he added. After a Thursday-Friday road double-header, the Bombers were back on home ice at the Whitney Forum as 830 fans were out to end their weekend with hockey. The Bombers gave them a good show with a goal in the first period by Devin Mitzner followed by Flin Flonner Tanner Korchinski's third period goal. The two goals weren't enough as the Hawks were able to tie the game up at two before the end of the third period Ð taking things into overtime. A low-scoring hockey game also resulted in only a few penalties. The Bombers were given two the entire game, which was one more than the Hawks. For the Maroon and White, both were in the second period with Ben Bitz in for tripping while Harley Garrioch was in for high-sticking. The Hawks' only penalty served the Bombers well. Being shorthanded after a goalie interference call, the Hawks let Mitzner in for his powerplay goal. Though the Bombers held a good lead, the Hawks' second goal frustrated the Bomber bench. "We were disappointed we gave up the goal for Nipawin," says Reagan. "But I was happy with the way Korchinski came in and scored." The bench boss recently made some moves with his roster and placed Korchinski, a former defenseman, up front. "I'm really happy about how he's playing for us up front," says Reagan. As for the third period, the Bombers were starting to lose their edge as the Hawks were able to get by Matt Weninger for the second time. "We dominated in the first and a bit in the second, but we gradually let them get momentum," says Reagan, calling the third a "terrible" period. "We looked like a tired team rather than them being the tired team," he says. Ending out their weekend series Ð which started with two games in Battlefords last Thursday and Friday Ð the Bombers claimed five out of a possible six points. And right now, with the playoffs just around the corner, counting points is important. Reagan says, as of now, the Maroon and White are basically claiming second place in the Itech Conference. Sunday's game pushed the Nipawin Hawks away from their chance at claiming second place. And now, the Bombers are only looking at the Melfort Mustangs as a possible team to take their spot. But the Bombers feel confident they will remain in second place. To drop into third, the Bombers would have to lose all of their games and the Mustangs would have to win all of theirs. Looking at the schedule coming up, the Bombers are hosting the La Ronge Ice Wolves this weekend, the Mustangs on Tuesday and their final game will be against the North Stars on Wednesday. "We're in the driver's seat," says Reagan. Looking back at his goals from the start of the season, in September, the coach likes where the Bombers stand. "We wanted to finish in the top two this year," he says. "We've had an up and down season, but I'm happy with how we have played as of late." Another goal the team has been working on is improving its penalty kill and power plays. For Sunday's game, there wasn't much need for that type of practice, but that's okay as far as Reagan is concerned. "I would much rather play five-on-five hockey," he says, adding the guys play better and it gives a better flow to the game.
