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.
The Whitney Forum was especially quiet Friday night as 862 fans watched as the Flin Flon Bombers take on the SJHL-leading Humboldt Broncos for the third time this month. The Maroon and White fought it out but were beaten 5-3. As head coach and GM Mike Reagan said, the team was given all kinds of opportunities to win, but things just didnÕt fall into place. Humboldt was first on the docket with a few goals, but the second period saw the Bombers bounce back and score two of their three goals. It just wasnÕt enough as the Broncos upped the ante and took the W. Cole Wilson, scoring the teamÕs first goal of the game, seems to have a fire under him since the new year arrived as the forward has earned himself seven points in 2008. And Reid MacLeod scored his 40th goal of the season, the first Bomber to do so since the late 1960s. MacLeod, along with Pierre-Luc Boucher, Myles Masse and Dennis Kubat, made their way to the All-Star game in Yorkton this past weekend as well. Carsen Chubak started the Bombers off in net, but his shutout was short-lived as Humboldt scored early on in the first period, giving them a 1-0 advantage. At 1:51 of the play, the Broncos were on the scoreboard, but it wouldnÕt stop there as Brady Wacker found the back of the net as well, making it 2-0, to end out the first period. Lately it seemed as though penalties were becoming a thing of the past for the Bombers, but Friday saw both teams in the sin bin a number of times. Reagan says he would have liked to have seen more calls made on certain plays. ÒI was disappointed there werenÕt any calls when (Matt) Dyck was checked from behind. The guy gets hit three times and there were no calls on it,Ó says the coach. But both teams did see a number of players behind the glass as both teams were called on 10 times. The Bombers saw everything from slashing and fighting from Masse to tripping, crosschecking and hooking. The Broncos were given there share as well as they heard the whistle blow on interference, hooking, fighting, cross checking and kneeing. Chubak saw seven shots come his way in the opening period, while the Maroon and White fired off nine, with hopes of breaking Taylor NelsonÕs shutout. Vengeance The Bombers came back with a vengeance in the second period as the team score two of their goals, with little time remaining. But before the home team could show their stuff, Humboldt strengthened its lead as they got another one past Chubak, making it 3-0. Three times was not the charm for Chubak, who was then pulled in favour of Calvin Bartel, but the Broncos managed another goal. The red-hot Wilson got the home side on the scoresheet, as he scored with help from Masse and Boucher at 18:47. And while fans were still cheering from the first goal, MacLeod came in and lit the lantern for again, renewing the hopes of the Whitney Forum faithful. MacLeod, who was fed by linemates Kubat and Dustyn Clegg, earned his 40th goal of the season, keeping his position as top scorer in the SJHL. The team finished the second period with a total of 17 shots on net, while between Chubak and Bartel faced only four shots. With a score of 4-2 the Bombers were ready for the third period, as they seemed to be more focused as they hit the ice. Although Humboldt found the back of the net for the fifth time, the Bombers kept things interesting with their third goal. See 'Boun...' on pg. Continued from pg. Kubat came in as Nelson couldnÕt quite hold onto the puck, bouncing it across the goal line. The market was assisted by MacLeod and Masse. By the third period the teams seemed to have cooled down as there werenÕt as many penalties, or as Reagan had said, they just werenÕt being called. But the final 20 minutes did see Masse in the box for fighting, while teammate Cameron MacKinnon was given five minutes for fighting as well as a 10-minute game misconduct. The Broncos sat out a few extra times as they were called on crosschecking, fighting, slashing and high sticking. Bartel had only another three shots come his way in the third, but the Bombers stepped it up and earned themselves another nine shots on Nelson. The Maroon and White outshot Humboldt 26-14 in total, not uncommon for the Bombers, but Reagan says that Òyou shouldnÕt lose a game after giving up 14 shots.Ó Reagan says the game was important and should have gone the other way. ÒI didnÕt think Humboldt really played really well. We outshot them by a wide margin,Ó says the coach. Assistant coach Clayton Quinn added that Humboldt Ògave us every opportunity to win.Ó The Bombers have now lost three of the last four games in regulation time. ÒYou have to concentrate on hard work and not get too negative,Ó says Reagan. ÒTimes like this you really have to work through the adversity.Ó The Bombers have yet another busy week as they were in Nipawin last night and will be in Notre Dame tonight, Weyburn Friday and Estevan on Saturday. The Maroon and White are back at the Whitney Forum next Wednesday as they face the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
