The Flin Flon Bombers split a pair of weekend games against MJHL opponents.
On Friday, the OCN Blizzard were in town. Special teams proved to be the difference as the Bombers scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded to cruise to a 5-0 victory.
Veterans led by example, scoring all five of the Bomber goals. Tyson Empey scored twice and Austin Evans had a goal and two assists, while AJ Kapcheck and Seamus Maguire chipped in with singles.
Simon Hofley started in goal and stopped all 14 shots he faced. He was relieved by Shane Lippincott in the third period, who made seven saves.
“I thought we got off to a slow start against OCN,” said Bombers head coach Mike Reagan. “Our maturity and depth started to show through eventually, and I thought we could have won seven or eight nothing. Their goaltender played really well.”
Flin Flon’s goaltending was perfect, and Reagan was impressed by what he saw from the veteran Hofley, who is expected to be a workhorse for the Bombers this season.
“He played good early on and made some big saves for us,” said Reagan. “That’s what you need out of your goaltender early in a game. He looked sharp. He looked very confident.”
On Sunday, the Bombers travelled to Swan River to take on the Swan Valley Stampeders, where they lost a close battle 3-2. Tyson Empey and Parker Evans-Campbell scored for the Bombers.
The Bombers led 2-1 early in the third period, but back-to-back penalties gave the Stampeders a chance to get back in the game.
“I thought we were the better team Sunday,” said Reagan. “I thought we found a way to lose. Some of our guys were kind of just going through the motions. I was disappointed in some of the young guys that are still fighting for a position on the team. There wasn’t a lot of get-up from them. If they can’t be motivated to play in what could be their last exhibition game, maybe we don’t want them on the team.”
With two-thirds of the exhibition schedule now behind them, Reagan can see a lot of potential in the team this year.
“Our puck movement is already better than it was last year,” said Reagan. “Braden Lacoursiere, Tanner Lishchynsky, Danys Chartrand and AJ Kapcheck look really good, and we don’t have Robbie Cameron in yet. I thought a guy like Mason Etter looked like a seasoned vet out there, so that’s been a pleasant surprise. We expected him to be good, but not this good.”
As of Tuesday the Bombers had 31 players in camp, including three goaltenders. Reagan expects to be down to 25 or 27 by Friday, depending on movement from the Western Hockey League.
“What’s been difficult for us is that we haven’t had a lot of practice time,” he said. “Our practices have been real short, and we’re just trying to keep the guys healthy and refreshed.”
Flin Flon was back in action last night at home against the Nipawin Hawks. Unfortunately, results were unavailable at press time.
The Bombers will finish off their whirlwind preseason schedule of six games in 12 days at home on Friday against the Stampeders. Game time at the Whitney Forum is 7:30 pm.
