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The Flin Flon Bombers host the Melfort Mustangs for a pair of games this weekend, and a visit from the struggling Mustangs may be just what the doctor ordered. While a split this weekend might satisfy some of the fans, a thorough thrashing for two consecutive games would go a long way to silencing their critics for at least a couple of days. "We expect to play hard," said Andrew Skrabek, one of the hardest working members of the team. "If we outwork them, we should be able to take it to them for two games this weekend. Practice has gone pretty good this week; we all seem to be working hard and trying to learn what we're supposed to do out there." The Bombers and Mustangs are currently the two worst teams in the SJHL, sharing the basement of the ITECH Conference. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but Skrabek says the Bombers are not worried that the Mustangs are in the same position ? in a fight for their lives early in the season. "You have to approach every game the same, whether you are playing a first place team or a last place team," said Skrabek. Team captain Stewart Sjoberg echoed this point, and expects his team to step up their efforts this weekend. "We have to work hard," said captain Stewart Sjoberg. "They're looking for points the same as we are. It should be a good couple of games. We'll have to outwork them to get the four points." Although this is the fourth consecutive year the Bombers have struggled out of the gate, Sjoberg feels that the problem is just a matter of finding the right chemistry. "I don't think there is anything wrong with the Bombers," said Sjoberg. "I think it's just a matter of bringing everything together. We've had a lot of new guys buying into the system, and we've had a tough schedule, too. For the new guys, it's a little overwhelming coming fro 'AAA' to this level. We're starting to play better. We're not winning yet, but we've been playing good teams and coming close. This weekend will be a big confidence boost for us, so we're looking for four points." Four points would be a good start for the Bombers, who have managed just one win in their first 11 games. However, depending on how Battleford does this weekend, it could put the team anywhere up to fourth place in the North. Clayton Geiger has been the most consistent Bomber since returning from injury. The second year player has seven points in his first eight games. Rookie Tyler Beachell has seven points, while Andrew Skrabek and Keith Spencer have six points, and Joey Moggach and Stewart Sjoberg have five points, all in 11 games. Most of these players will have to step up their offensive output, while at the same time helping the defence take care of their own end. Good defence creates offense, and if the Bombers can keep Melfort's shot totals down, they should be able to generate more opportunities to score. The Bombers will have to watch out for guys like Jeff Hajner, Nick VanDenBeld and Chad Richardson, who are all close to point-per-game players so far this season. In net, it is possible that we could see four goaltenders on the ice over the two games. Francois Laverdiere has played in all but one game this season, and with games against Kindersley, Yorkton and Melville coming up, if coach Ryan Hoffman wants to give his starting netminder a break, this weekend may be his opportunity. Laverdiere has a goals against average (GAA) of 3.87 and a save percentage (SPC) of 0.899, while Michael Pilote has not had an easy time as his backup, with a GAA of 6.89 and an SPC of 0.850, although he only started one of the three games he has played in. In Melfort, the Mustangs have split their goaltending duties almost right down the middle. Seeing action in six games, Aaron Forer has a GAA of 3.91 and a SPC of 0.893. Brenden Cuthbert has a GAA of 4.59 and a SPC of 0.899. Games Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m.
