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.
Flin Flon Bombers coach-GM Doug Stokes expects it to be a slow and painful process to see players become more disciplined in playing a game where referees are to call it by the book. The SJHL doesn't provide statistics on penalty minutes during exhibition, but the barrage of them that eliminated the flow of games proved that many were being called. Before the regular season started, a supervisor from the league visited each team and brought a DVD for the players to watch and offered explanations while answering questions the players had. The session seems to be paying off as the Bombers are taking fewer penalties with each game. During the Bombers' 4-3 loss against the La Ronge Ice Wolves, they took 15 penalties, only three in the opening period. The players believe going through the session was beneficial. "I thought it was very informative," said Bomber forward Mike McKinna. "I think it should help us all understand the game a little better. The DVD really helped point out exactly what the new rules are. It narrows down what exactly they're looking for and what they're going to be calling." McKinna said he felt the team really struggled in exhibition and now they know what exactly the refs want. "Our whole lives we've been told always keep a stick on the man," he explained. "You always keep a stick length away and now if you touch a guy with a stick, you're going to automatically be called. That rule itself was probably the toughest one to learn. I think every game we're getting better." Stokes thought the DVD was very clear and descript. Since then he feels his team has made some adjustments to it. Following the game on Tuesday against La Ronge, he feels there are still discretionary calls. "They (SJHL) say that eliminates discretion now, a penalty is a penalty," Stokes added, "but obviously last night I seen a lot that weren't called. That to me still seems a discretion area. "I thought the video itself, the supervisor did a great job of explaining to the players," Stokes said. Defenceman David Holinaty feels the team has adjusted "After that presentation we calmed down and stopped taking, like it's a lot less penalties," he said. For himself, Holinaty didn't feel he had any problems. The fact he has just six minutes attests to that considering eight players on the team have between 10 to 28 minutes spent in the box. Holinaty felt the team was being victimized by hooking. Rookie rearguard Chris Blaquiere said the emphasis on calling the rules has placed pressure on defenceman because they have to adapt to forwards entering the zone. "It's hard for the D to adapt because of the forecheckers forechecking so hard because our forwards can't hold them up," he explained. "It makes it a little bit tougher. Fast forecheckers will force quicker decisions to be made." Rookie forward Tommy Castonguay, like Holinaty, hasn't found it hard to adjust. He welcomes the change. "We understand more, and for me, it's not tougher this year than last year because I never be an aggressive player and I rarely take penalties," he explained following practice on Wednesday. "I am able to adjust my play to the new rules. I like the new rules. The refs need to be more consistent and it will be better for the league and all the players because now it's the speed and the quickness and skill." Castonguay, who hasn't served a penalty, feels there will be less penalties after 10-15 games. "I think that we took more penalties in the preseason game then now," he added. "We begin to adjust better."
