The Flin Flon Bombers continue to face challenges this season.
This past weekend (after The Reminder went to press) they had road games against two of the top teams in the SJHL.
Heading into the weekend action, the Bombers sat in second place in the Sherwood Division with 20 points – tied for second with La Ronge and two points below the leading Nipawin Hawks.
Before leaving for La Ronge last week, Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan said he hoped to see his team return home at least one game over .500.
“If we can be 2-1 (on the road)...that would even out our record on the road,” he said.
The Bombers a tough schedule as they will host the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday.
Though the Mustangs were fourth in the Sherwood Division going into the weekend, the weekend action could really shake up the rankings.
“We’ve got a tough schedule ahead of us this year,” said Reagan, “but I think we’re going to find out what we’re made of as a hockey club.”
With their work cut out for them, the Bombers welcomed back Brett Boehm to the lineup last week as the had participated in the CJHL’s Prospect Games.
Boehm picked up four points in two games against La Ronge last week.
“That’s huge for us,” said Reagan after last week’s 4-0 shutout over the Ice Wolves. “We need him to contribute.”
Top line
Meanwhile, the Bombers have assembled a strong top line consisting of Parker Evans-Campbell, Boehm and Austin Calladine.
“...it’s starting to look pretty good,” said Reagan.
“They are a threat when they are out there and once we can get Cam Blair back in the lineup, that gives us two solid lines.”
Another welcome addition to the Bomber lineup has been talented forward Connor Bucsis.
After last Tuesday’s game, Reagan said Bucsis “looks good and he’s ready to break out.”
Reagan gave credit to Bucsis and said once he adjusts to the club more, he’ll be a threat.
“He’s going to be a hell of a player for us,” said Reagan.
The night after last Tuesday’s shutout win, the Bombers picked up a 3-1 win over the Ice Wolves as Bucsis earned a hat trick.
Reagan also gave credit to Erik Pedersen as well as newcomers to the team.
“If we could just get some of those guys contributing one or two goals...every couple of nights, we put ourselves in a good position,” he said.
Fresh faces
This year’s Bomber lineup is made up of plenty of faces new to both the organization and the junior A level.
“We’ve got a lot of (young players) and we have to be patient with them,” said Reagan.
So much young talent could have Reagan making some tough decisions by the Dec. 1 trade deadline.
“It puts us in a really weird position because we like all our 18-year-olds and...to get some older guys you’ve got to move some of these young guys,” he said.
“The next five or six games is really going to determine what we do at the deadline.
“If we win five to six games, we’re looking to add (players), but if you lose five to six, you’re looking at next year.”
While there are tough decision to be made, Reagan assures “there’s a lot of hockey left to be played.”
SJHL teams have until Jan. 10 to make their final trades, but Reagan says he prefers to make any trades earlier in December.
“I like to put ourselves in a position where we know pretty much what our team is for the rest of the year,” Reagan said.
“We might add one or two guys come Jan. 10, but Dec. 1 is the big deadline I look at.”
Brett Boehm of the Bombers made his return to the lineup last week after participating in the CJHL’s Prospects Games. Boehm picked up four points in two games against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
PHOTO BY KELLY CARRINGTON
