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.
Defensively, the Flin Flon Bombers played their best period of the exhibition season Saturday night against the visiting Nipawin Hawks. Attempting to earn a second win against the Hawks in as many games, the Bombers left Nipawin in the dust 3-0 after the first period. But the Hawks found the Bombers' weak spot Ð the second period Ð as the visitors came back to tie the game. Flin Flon went on to win 4-3 with a late goal in the third, saving them from a second overtime against the Hawks. "It was just so frustrating that we come out and...respond that bad in the second period," said Bombers head coach and GM Mike Reagan. "We come out with a 3-0 lead and the guys figured the game was over." Nipawin earned their first two goals in the second period against Klynt Spencer. Their first was a power play goal. With the game sitting at 3-2, the Hawks earned their third goal in the first half of the third period. The Bombers struggled in the second period as they didn't get their first shot on net until the 11 minute mark. "I think that's embarrassing," said Reagan. "I was embarrassed walking off the ice after that period, especially after we go and play such a good first period and then we go and come out and play like that in the second." The coach says the team was complacent. "That's something we've got to work on," he said. "I know that was an issue with us last year," sad Reagan. "There were times we really struggled at the beginning of the period. The first period was our worst period last year." Reagan says it's "frustrating." "I even talked to the guys beforehand and said, 'we've got two more periods to go here' and we're in total control going into the game in the second period and then we let them back into the game," he said. While it's frustrating, Reagan says "that's what preseason is for." "We've got to correct those problems," he said. With the Bombers only having one exhibition game left, Reagan says he would rather see those problems now. "I'd rather find out now than come Friday in Melfort," he said, as the team will open their regular season against the Mustangs. Looking past the lulls in the periods, the coach said there were high and low points when it came to the skill level of the team. Nine veterans laced up the skates for the weekend game. "At times, our vets would turn it on and then...other times they would disappear," he said. "It gets back to consistency." Reagan says he expects the players to play night in and night out. "That's something we're going to sit down and talk to them about and make sure these things don't happen," he said. "Let's be honest, it's going to happen from time to time throughout the season, but if we can limit the amount of times, then I'll be happy," said the coach. Saturday was the Bombers' turn to host Nipawin as the Hawks hosted them the night before. Friday night, the Maroon and White won 5-4 in overtime. Comparing the two games, Reagan said in Friday's match-up, the Bombers only had a minute lull Ð giving the Hawks a chance to score two goals Ð whereas Saturday, the team seemed to take the whole second period off. "Tonight, we fell asleep for a whole period. That's unacceptable in your own rink," he said. "If I was a fan, I'd be chapped." As the coach, he says he was upset about the way the team played Saturday "but it was a character win." "We found a way to win," he said. Corey Tyrell scored the fourth goal of the game with 14.5 seconds left on the clock. Reagan said he was happy with the way the game ended. "It was exciting for the fans. I mean, we won't want to do that too much, but whatever, we'll take it. "A win is a win right now." Following Saturday's game, the Bombers sat 2-2 in the preseason. "...and we'll look forward to Monday and go from there," said the coach.
