The Flin Flon Bombers will put their home undefeated streak on the line this weekend as they host the Notre Dame Hounds tonight and the La Ronge Ice Wolves tomorrow.
The Hounds come to town as the leaders of the Kramer Division with a 4-0 record. They don’t score a pile of goals, netting only 10 in four games, but their goaltending has been top-notch and their defence is stingy, as they have allowed only five goals against.
In contrast the Bombers have scored in bunches with 20 goals in five games, but are having trouble keeping the puck out of the net, especially on the penalty kill. They have allowed 17 goals, nine while playing short
a man.
Attack
Leading the attack for the Bombers is Chris Rauckman with 11 points in five games, including seven goals. Note Dame’s leading goal scorer is Spencer Trapp, who has three goals. If you take him out of the picture, Rauckman has outscored the rest of his Hounds teammates combined.
Rauckman’s fervent pace has earned him this season’s first SJHL Player of the Week nod. He has picked up points in all five games played.
Rauckman edged out teammate Parker Evans-Campbell and Melfort’s Adam Fauchoux, with nine points each, for the weekly honour.
Rauckman also attended this week’s SJHL Showcase in Warman, where the top players from each team played a series of games in front of scouts from over 25 universities and seven NHL teams.
“It was well attended,” said Bombers coach Mike Reagan. “Our players played well and got some recognition. Lots of schools liked our guys and will be out to watch more.”
Also attending from the Bombers were Mason Etter, Braden Lacoursiere, Alex Smith, Robbie Cameron, Tyson Empey, Eric Pedersen, Austin Evans and Parker Evans-Campbell.
Standing in Rauckman’s way will be goaltender Alexi Thibaudeau, who is a perfect 3-0 on the season so far with a 1.50 goal- against average and a save percentage of 0.960.
Hofley busy
Bombers netminder Simon Hofley is sitting at 3-1-0-1 on the year with a goals-against average of 3.15. He has been the busiest goalie in the league, playing all five games and facing 197 shots.
The Ice Wolves will be looking for their first road win of the season when they roll into town tomorrow. After four games played, the Wolves are 2-2 with both wins coming at home.
La Ronge has struggled to find their stride offensively, scoring just nine goals in four games. Their defence has been on track, though, allowing just 10 goals.
So far the Ice Wolves’ leading scorer has been Joel Blacquiere with four points in four games. Goaltending duties have been split between Kris Joyce and Luke Grassl. Each has a 1-1 record.
The Bombers and Ice Wolves will battle eight times this season. Last year they played six times, with Flin Flon taking the season series 4-2.
Earlier this week, the Bombers announced they have acquired 6’ 1”, 185-lb defenceman Brandon Masson from the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL. This completes the Devon Buffalo deal that also landed the Bombers Rauckman.
