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.
Nearly 900 fans went out to the Whitney Forum Saturday night to watch their Flin Flon Bombers hit the ice to challenge the Notre Dame Hounds. The Bombers, after falling flat the night before, were looking to fill their appetite against the Red and White. And they did just that as the Bombers knocked the socks off the Hounds with a final score of 8-4. Pierre-Luc Boucher started the scoring off for the Bombers, and earned himself an assist as well. Boucher, along with Dennis Kubat, Reid MacLeod and Myles Masse, who all made it onto the score sheet that night, were also named to represent the Bombers in the All-Star game, which will be played in Yorkton on January 20. Kubat, the BombersÕ captain, says itÕs an honour to be selected to play. ÒWith four of us making the team, it makes it even more special,Ó says the Outlook, SK, native. ÒIt was my goal at the start of the year to go back to the All-Star game.Ó Being the teams captain, some might think it would be added pressure for the 20-year-old centre. ÒWeÕve got lots of good leadership in the room,Ó he says. And Kubat says along with making the All-Star team, the other goal he set this year was Òto get as far as we can in the playoffs.Ó Saturday nightÕs game saw a different show from Carsen Chubak as his extra practice on rebounds has paid off. But the goalie says itÕs not all about practice. ÒI took a little rest and the guys have been helping me out,Ó he says, adding that he also brought a new mental level to the game. Bomber fans saw Chubak end the the first two periods on a shutout, but it was a few minutes in the third period that saw the goalie let in a few pucks. As the Bombers hit the ice to face off against the Hounds, fans could see the hunger in their home team as they chased the puck from one end to the other. The first period started off with both teams looking for that opportunity to break the goose eggs, but it was Boucher who found the back of the net to bring the Bombers up 1-0 over the visitors. BoucherÕs goal, assisted by Reid MacLeod and Kory Gursky, broke Mark CurrieÕs short-lived shutout at 12:18 of play. While Boucher was the only one to score in the first period, the Hounds picked up a few penalties as Shane Gray saw the inside of the box for holding and teammate Marc Andre Nadeau was called on interference. The second period saw the Bombers come out swinging as they managed another five goals on Currie. MacLeod, with help from Masse and Kubat, opened fire as he lit the scoreboard after only 48 seconds into the period. Scott Day was next, four minutes later, as he found the back of the net with help from Wilson and Michael Young. Another five minutes later Dustyn Clegg scored his 20th of the season to make it 4-0 for the Bombers. Helping on CleggÕs goal were linemates Wilson and Masse. And picking up his second goal of the night was Day, making it 5-0. And picking up another assist were Wilson and Kubat. Rounding out the second period was Wilson with an unassisted goal. Chubak saw only five shots in the second period, but kept his shut out. The Bombers had eight shots on net, in which five of them were goals for the team. With a score of 6-0, the Bombers hit the ice for the third period overflowing with confidence. And as they worked for their lead in the game, the team slipped up at the start of the period while the Hounds managed four goals in eight minutes. Starting things off for the Red and White was Rylan Schwartz, who scored after 2:50 of play. Teammate Kyle Ireland got the teamÕs second goal of the night past Chubak, making it 6-2. Just minutes later the Hounds found the back of the net again as Blake Peake got one through the pipes. And just seconds after that, the team scored off the face off, closing the goal gap. See 'Kubat' on pg. Continued from pg. The Bombers pulled their socks back up and scored another two goals before the end of the period as Kubat scored the teamÕs seventh goal of the night. Racking up another assist were linemates MacLeod and Young. And it was MacLeod who scored the nightÕs final goal as he was fed by Boucher and Masse. At the end of the third period the Maroon and White had a total of 35 shots on net, while Chubak saw the puck 13 times that night. With another win under their belts, the Bombers earned themselves another two points, giving them 50 and leaving them in fourth place in the Itech Conference. As the Bombers lost Friday night against the Humboldt Broncos, Chubak says Saturday nightÕs game was pretty important. ÒIt was pretty important...we were playing a weaker team and we came back for the rebound,Ó says the Prince Albert, SK, native. ÒWe left on a good feeling.Ó And while the team didnÕt pull a win from the Broncos on Friday, Chubak says itÕs not over yet. ÒI wanted to beat Humboldt, but weÕve got a couple more chances in January, so hopefully we can beat them (then),Ó he says. Head coach and GM Mike Reagan, who says SaturdayÕs game was a bit better than FridayÕs game, says there were a couple of things he was disappointed in. ÒThe four goals in the third period,Ó Reagan says, adding that itÕs difficult to stay focused after a 6-0 lead after two periods. But it wasnÕt all bad thoughts, as Reagan says the team Òmoved the puck better and we were a little more hungry tonight.Ó And while the coach says the Bombers had too much respect for the Broncos the night before, he says they took it out on the Hounds Saturday night. The Maroon and White were off for Christmas break and have since been back and played a few games, but this was the HoundsÕ first game back since the break. ÒWeÕre back and in mid-season already, and they are just starting to get it going again,Ó says Reagan. As for the All-Star game, Reagan says it basically accounts Òfor the way they (the players) played all year. And this is their recognition for being top players.Ó As Kubat, Masse, MacLeod and Boucher prepare for the game, Reagan says heÕs very happy with their selection. ÒThey are all very deserving and I think they will represent the Bombers very well. There are a couple other guys who deserve to be there as well, but there are only so many spots,Ó he says. The Bombers are up against a three-game road trip in three days this weekend as they head to Melville Friday night, Yorkton Saturday night and Humboldt on Sunday. Tuesday, January 15, has the Bombers back on home ice as they are up against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
