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.
Though the Flin Flon Bombers have split their season so far, with five wins and five losses, head coach and GM Mike Reagan says their record could easily be 7-3. Ten games into the 2010-11 season, the Bombers sit at the .500 mark. But, Reagan says, taking the last few games of the team's southern swing into consideration, the Bombers could easily be sitting with a better record. "We're not happy with 5-5, but on the other end, we know we could be 7-3," said the coach. After leaving the Whitney Forum with a loss, the Bombers had a tough game against the Nipawin Hawks in which the home team dominated. The next night, the Bombers were able to compete well against the Notre Dame Hounds as they were the better team in the second and third periods, according to Reagan. Last Saturday's game against the Weyburn Red Wings was played "very well" by the Bombers, said the coach. Though the team didn't get the W, they were in contention for a win. The final game of the road series was handed over to the Estevan Bruins from the Bombers as Flin Flon gave up a three-goal lead. The third period had the Bruins come alive and earn three unanswered goals for the win. Always tinkering to improve the on-ice product, Reagan has made a few changes to the team. Wednesday afternoon, Reagan got commitment from Matt Maleschuk, a defenceman from Calgary. The Bombers have had trouble getting the puck out of their own end this season and Reagan hopes the addition of Maleschuk will be a positive in that regard. Maleschuk is expected to play his first game as a Bomber tonight as the Kindersley Klippers are in town for a pair of games. Looking ahead to this weekend, Reagan said the Bombers were going to have to focus on the defensive side of the game. "We need to get stronger," Reagan said in a phone interview from Calgary. Making note that "too many shots" are getting into the Bomber zone, he said the team needs to be better at keeping their zone clean. "That's the main focus here over the next while," said Reagan. The team will have lots of time to practice as they have been off since Sunday and won't play again, excluding this weekend, until next Friday. Reagan said the rest has been helpful. With four or five players out of the lineup with injuries, it gives the team a chance to "regroup and refocus." Forward Corey Tyrell, injured for quite some time, is now starting to get back on the ice. Though he won't be ready for this weekend, Reagan says it's encouraging seeing Tyrell put the skates on. "It's a huge boost for us," said Reagan. "Without him, (it) really hurt our second line." With Tyrell coming back to the lineup next weekend, Reagan said the Bombers will be able to alleviate some of the pressure from the first line. Reagan suspects Tyrell will be ready to dress for next weekend as the Notre Dame Hounds are in town on Friday. Until then, the team will spend their days practicing. Having a full week off, as the Bombers have experienced several times this season, can be both positive and negative. See 'Playing' on pg. Continued from pg. While on a winning streak, Reagan says, a team wants to keep playing, but for a team like the Bombers, who are having trouble getting those wins, a break is good. This past week, the Bombers used their time to recover. This weekend, it won't be just the Klippers in town. The Bombers will also be hosting their annual Parent's Weekend. "I think the boys are going to be excited to play in front of their parents," said Reagan. As well as parents visiting, the Bombers are opening their doors to the students with their Tickets for Kids campaign. Free tickets were given to students today at the local schools to encourage attendance. With a big crowd expected tonight, Reagan said "it should be a good atmosphere." Being on the road for the last week, the coach says he knows his players are ready to return to the Whitney Forum. "I'm hoping...we can turn this around. We haven't played the best in five games," said Reagan. "We have to rebound here and try and get back on a winning streak."
