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.
After a devastating loss against the Battlefords North Stars, the Bombers were hungry and ready for the Kindersley Klippers last Friday night. In game one of their double-header on the road, the Bombers brought a little more to the game than usual. ÒWith the loss to Battlefords,Ó says head coach and GM Mike Reagan, Òwe were disappointed in the effort. ÒThe whole team in general was pissed off after the game and we had a good meeting before FridayÕs game.Ó Reagan normally leaves his players to think the game through on their own. But with the loss hanging over their heads, the coach put a few motivating words into their minds before the puck dropped. ÒI wanted them to think about how they felt after losing to Battlefords,Ó says the coach, noting that he wanted the team to have that angry and hungry feeling before the game against the Klippers. The motivational talk was a step in the right direction as the Bombers shut out the home team 4-0. According to Reagan, the team really reacted to the before-game speech and went out on the prowl. It took some time to get the puck in the net, though the coach says the team played a great first period. ÒWe got the goals at the right time,Ó he says, noting the scoring frenzy in the third period. Reagan had made it clear to the team that they needed to come out with a strong effort for the first game, which they did. Though a little unorthodox for Reagan, he says the talk before the game really helped. ÒNormally before the game, I give the guys the opportunity to focus on the game and to prepare,Ó he says. ÒBut we took a different approach that night and had them focused from the time we arrived at the rink.Ó And although the pep talk before the game worked, Reagan says itÕs not something he will be doing before every game. ÒWe just changed the approach to prepare for the game,Ó he says. ÒI think...you want to be consistent in how you approach the game.Ó But he notes that at different points in the season, itÕs okay to Òtweak here and there.Ó The Bombers played a solid game while being able to shut out one of the top teams in the South. Going into the weekend series, the Bombers knew they were up against a tough opponent, but they didnÕt let that stand in the way. ÒWe definitely had our work cut out for us,Ó says Reagan. ÒIt was a matter of our guys being focused and not (thinking) about being on Christmas holidays.Ó The coach looked back at the situation last season when the team seemed more interested in getting home than playing the Klippers. There was a Òbig differenceÓ this season, says Reagan. On Friday night, the Bombers were in for a treat as a busload of Bomber fans from Alberta unloaded to watch the games. With good hockey being played, Reagan says it was a confidence booster for the team. Both teams, according to the coach, played well. ÒWe were able to capitalize on our opportunities,Ó Reagan says. ÒWe played a well disciplined game.Ó As well as being disciplined, the coach says the blueliners moved the puck well and the team was able to Òget some big goals at key times.Ó A big step for the Bombers was having Michael Young back in the line-up, as he had been playing in the CJHL Prospects Game. ÒAnytime you can get your top (defensive) player back, it makes a big difference,Ó says Reagan. The game gave the Bombers the momentum and confidence they needed. ÒIt was important to get the second and third goal,Ó says the coach, noting that the teamÕs third was the Ònail in the coffin.Ó While the Bombers were pulling full steam ahead, the Klippers just couldnÕt get past Flin FlonÕs Matt Weninger. The Klippers tried their everything to get past their former goalie, but Reagan says Weninger played just as hard not to let them past. ÒIt was his first time back since the trade....and he wanted to prove to Kindersley they made the wrong decision,Ó he says. ÒHeÕs happy in Flin Flon, but it feels good when you can beat your former club.Ó The following is a summary of the game between the Bombers and the Klippers Friday night: Many of the 554 fans in the West Central Events Centre were cheering on the Bombers, as a busload from Alberta was in town to watch the boys in Maroon and White. The first period was scoreless, but not actionless as the Bombers fired off 11 shots on Ryan Nieszner while Weninger faced eight from his former team. Two penalties were given in the first period as well Ð both to the Klippers Ð as Justin Wilkinson was in for holding and Braeden Adamyk for holding the puck. It was a jump start to the second period with a goal from Young after only 47 seconds of play. After accepting a pass from Reid MacLeod and Josh Garneau, Young found the back of the mesh to make it 1-0. Later in the period, Devin Mitzner got the puck from MacLeod and Patrick Sitko for the teamÕs second goal. Then Mitch Dougall made his way to the net with a pass from Tommy Castonguay for the teamÕs third goal Ð making it 3-0. Another 11 shots came from the Bombers while Weninger was given another 10 to send packing. The third period had one final goal for the Bombers as MacLeod sealed the deal, if it wasnÕt already stamped, sealed and delivered, with an empty net goal late in the period. And it was a low shooting period for the Bombers has they fired off four on the Klippers while the Bombers faced 14.
