Hockey fans in Flin Flon are in for a treat this weekend as the Bombers and Melfort Mustangs battle it out for first place in the Sherwood Division with two games at the Whitney Forum.
But first the Bombers will detour to La Ronge on Friday for a meeting with the Ice Wolves, who are in last place in the Sherwood Division.
La Ronge has had trouble at both ends of the ice, scoring only 39 goals in 16 games while allowing 58.
Only the Estevan Bruins, the worst team in the entire SJHL right now, have a poorer goal differential. They have allowed 68 goals while only scoring 31.
Flin Flon can’t afford to take the Wolves lightly, though, as they are a hard-working team that has beaten both the Melfort Mustangs and league-leading Kindersley Klippers this season.
In their only previous meeting, the Bombers had their way with the Wolves in an 8-1 drubbing at the Whitney Forum on Oct. 4.
“I’m expecting that they’re going to be a tougher team to play against in their own building,” said Bombers head coach Mike Reagan. “I expect them to be a better team than they have been. They’re a team that’s young, but they are better than an 8-1 game that we saw from them last time.”
Alex Smith led the way that night with a goal and three assists. He completed the Gordie Howe hat trick with a fight midway through the third period.
Simon Hofley made 29 saves as the Bombers outshot the Ice Wolves 48-30. It was a rough game, with 137 penalty minutes handed out, including seven game misconducts.
La Ronge has always been a tough place for the Bombers to find a win, and with the team coming off an eight-day break, it will be important for Flin Flon to set the tone early.
Tougher test
Flin Flon will have a little tougher test in their games against Melfort. They will meet on Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 6 pm, with both games at the Whitney.
Heading into this week’s action, the Mustangs led the Bombers by one point. Flin Flon had a chance to overtake the Mustangs last Thursday but let a two-goal lead slip away in the third period, losing 6-5 in overtime.
Reagan was happy with the way his team played in the first two periods in Melfort, but admits they let the Mustangs dictate the play in the third period.
“After the way we lost the last game, we’re looking forward to this opportunity,” he said. “We’re not very happy with the way we collapsed in the third period and basically handed them the two points.”
When the Mustangs and Bombers face off, four of the top five SJHL scorers will be playing.
Melfort’s Travis Mayan leads the league with 22 points in 15 games. Flin Flon’s Chris Rauckman is right behind with 21 points, and his teammate Alex Smith is third with 20 points. Adam Fauchoux of the Mustangs is fifth with 19 points.
Rauckman was recently named the SJHL player of the month for September and October. He leads the league with 14 goals.
Back home
With an eight-day stretch between games, the players were allowed to go home for the weekend, expecting to be back for practice on Tuesday.
Due to the sudden dump of snow on Sunday night, Reagan expected it might take an extra day for everyone to return, and urged his players to take the extra day to travel if needed.
About half were in town in time for practice on Tuesday, with the full team expected to be on the ice today.
A couple of familiar faces won’t be playing hockey in Flin Flon this weekend.
Dustin Perrilat has been called up for a couple of games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, and AJ Kapcheck was traded to the Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL.
Also, Seamus Maguire has returned home and is hoping to get picked up by a team in the BCHL.
Lance Yaremchuk will likely miss at least one game. He is out with an upper body injury, and Reagan hopes to see him in the line-up for the Melfort games.
Fans will get a first chance to see Tyler Bell in action at the Whitney Forum.
Bell joined the team last week from the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL.
“He’s a big strong kid,” said Reagan. “We really like him. He’s a presence for sure. He’s got a bomb for a shot, too.”
