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.
MELVILLE Ð "We don't know how to win," said Flin Flon Bombers coach-GM Doug Stokes following a 5-3 loss against the Millionaires. The Bombers outshot Melville 13-11 in the first period, but narrowly escaped going behind by at least one goal as defenseman David Holinaty bailed out his team by clearing a puck in the vacant crease. The second period saw the Millionaires score four consecutive goals before Flin Flon's Tyler Beachell replied. Stokes explained that the team made too many mistakes, especially in a four-minute span Ð which reinforced his comment about how the team doesn't know how to win because of what he calls "dumb errors." Stokes wasn't impressed with the comeback effort against the Millionaires because to him, a loss is a loss. "I just don't think we played our game," Holinaty said. "The defense made some mistakes." The Bomber defenseman really didn't know what to make of what went wrong. Down 4-1, the challenge became greater as Beachell got mixed up with Melville's Chris De Bruyn, which resulted in Beachell being tossed after receiving a 10-minute misconduct to go along with five minutes for fighting and two for instigating. The Millionaires may have thought they had the game sewn up, but the Bombers battled back with another power-play goal by Brett Needham and an even-strength backhander by Dalton Pajak, who scored his team-leading 18th goal. The Bombers' power-play went 2-8, while the penalty-killing unit allowed a single goal on seven chances. Bomber forward Mike McKinna felt the team came out good in the opening period and echoed the sentiments of Holinaty about the defensive struggles. He added that while the loss of Beachell hurts, "we got other boys who can fill his shoes." The nail in the coffin came when Braden Olszewski, called for roughing, was given a misconduct. "Going into Christmas, it's a pretty big loss," McKinna said. "It's hard to swallow, especially so close." Stokes felt the team played a good road game against the Yorkton Terriers, which the team lost 5-3. An empty-netter killed any comeback chance. The Terriers outshot the Bombers in every period, but as loud as the Farrell Agencies Arena blared a dog's bark for goals that built a 3-1 lead, the Bombers worked hard to tie the game 3-3 ÐÊuntil a costly defensive error gave the Terriers a win. The Bombers are now on their Christmas break with a 10-23-0-1 record in 34 games and a four-game losing streak. They will return with games against the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Dec. 29 and 30. The home game on the 30th also brings the long awaited excitement of the new third jersey.
