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.
As always, two points were on the line for the Bombers as they hosted the La Ronge Ice Wolves last Friday. The 1,027 fans in the crowd knew it was going to be a good game as the Bombers sat in second place in the Itech Conference while the Ice Wolves were on their tails sitting in third. And the Bombers didnÕt disappoint as they beat up on the Ice Wolves 4-1 for another victorious moose leg celebration. The Bombers played their only game of the weekend on Friday, which made it even more crucial that the team won. ÒIt was a good win for a (couple) of reasons,Ó says assistant coach Trevor Sack. ÒFirst, we only have one game this weekend. And (second) now we have a good feeling going into the series against Melville.Ó Sack says it was a real Òdivision gameÓ to show the team is in second place. ÒWe played really well,Ó he says. The first period was fast and had the fans on the edge of their seats. They were on the edge of their seats at the start of the second period, but for another reason. Bomber David Dykstra hit the boards after being given a slight push by a La Ronge player. Dykstra lost his balance and was knocked out after hitting his head on the board. ÒIt looked like he caught the edge of the board wrong,Ó says Sack. Flin Flon trainer Jeff Woods was on the ice with Dykstra, with paramedics soon joining him. The Bomber was taken off the ice on a stretcher and transported to the nearby hospital. ÒIt was an awkward situation (because of how he fell),Ó says Sack, noting that the hit wasnÕt intentional. As Dykstra was taken to the hospital, Sack was impressed with his playersÕ reaction. ÒThe guys were good and focused on the bench,Ó he says. ÒThey went out and played pretty well after that.Ó Dykstra later returned to the rink, in the third period. Nothing had been confirmed, but if he suffered a concussion, Dykstra would be out on the injury list. As the fans got back into the game, the Bombers were just getting warmed up, as they were at a standstill for close to 30 minutes. The Maroon and White got back into the game and started the scoring, ultimately making it 4-1. ÒWeÕre disappointed it wasnÕt a shutout,Ó says Sack, noting that the Ice WolvesÕ goal came with just a minute left. ÒItÕs a lesson learned,Ó he says. ÒItÕs a 60-minute game...and we need to play 60 minutes, not 58 or 59. Ò(Goalie Calvin) Bartel played well for a shutout, but the team couldnÕt give it to him.Ó Overall, Sack feels the Bombers played a Òwell rounded game. ÒNothing is perfect, but we came together as a team,Ó he says. Sack says the score could have been more one-sided, but La Ronge goalie Jonathan Jobin was on his game as the Bombers fired off 44 shots. ÒIt could have easily been a 10-1 game,Ó says Sack. ÒWe should have a scored a lot more goals, but Jobin made some big saves when he had to.Ó Head coach and GM Mike Reagan agreed that it was a well played game. ÒWe worked hard and executed what we had to execute,Ó he says. ÒI am extremely happy.Ó With a one-game weekend, Reagan says itÕs a good Òbuilder for next weekend.Ó With a few key players still out from fines and suspensions, 2007-08 scoring champ Reid McLeod made his first appearance for the Bombers this season. ÒWe just had him on power plays,Ó notes Reagan, adding that McLeod isnÕt in tip-top condition just yet. ÒIf we had a full line-up, Reid wouldnÕt have played,Ó says the coach. But getting into the game a month after the season began wasnÕt an easy task for McLeod. ÒHe played alright for his first game back, but heÕs a step behind,Ó says the coach. See 'Win' on pg. Continued from pg. With FridayÕs game out of the way, Sack says the team is looking forward to both games this weekend against the Melville Millionaires. ÒLa Ronge wasnÕt the best team weÕve faced,Ó says Sack. ÒBut itÕs still a win...(where you) take away two points. ÒThe next big test will be Melville,Ó he says, noting that the team has only lost a couple games this season. ÒWe expect to win both. We have the team to get two points every game.Ó Looking at the schedule, all teams have played at least 10 games except the Bombers, who have played eight games so far. ÒItÕs hard for us,Ó says the assistant coach. ÒThe South want to come up here first, but itÕs hard for weekday games.Ó See 'Bomb...' on pg. Continued from pg. This weekendÕs series has the team pumped. ÒMelville is a very skilled team. They are fast. And the play a similar game (as us),Ó says Sack. ÒItÕs a test to is to see what we are made of.Ó The following is a game summary from FridayÕs game between the Bombers and the Ice Wolves: Shots came and went for both teams, but nothing was working for either as Bartel and Jobin were standing tall in their nets. That was until Cole Wilson got on a breakaway but was pulled down, taking away his chance at a shot on net. He was awarded a penalty shot and scored to give the Bombers their first goal of the game. As the period went on, Wilson found the back of the net for the second time with two minutes left on the clock. With a score of 2-0 and 12 shots on net, the Bombers were feeling confident. With DykstraÕs injury on the front burner, the team did their best to stay focused on the game. It wasnÕt from a lack of trying, but the Bombers were unable to score in the second period. Jobin faced 17 shots, while Bartel stood strong for his four. The third period saw the Bombers open fire once again as Michael Young was able to get past Jobin, with help from McLeod, for a power play goal. And just seven minutes later and 15 minutes into the period, Cole Gibson put the fourth puck past Jobin, with help from Wilson and Young. La Ronge found the top shelf as Bartel was down, breaking his shut out and making it 4-1. The Bombers earned their two points, giving them a total of 10 in eight games. The Bombers face-off against the Millionaires in a double-header weekend, starting tonight at the Whitney Forum.
