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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Flin Flon Bombers split their chances this past weekend while hosting the Estevan Bruins. With a delay in the game Saturday night, due to the Bruins having bus trouble, the Bombers took full advantage of the situation and peppered Estevan 7-3. Sunday afternoon, the Bombers weren't on their game in the first period and the visitors took advantage of that as they ended the first 20 minutes of play up 4-0. The Maroon and White pulled their socks up in the second and third and brought the game to 4-3, but were unable to get that last goal to tie things up. Head coach and GM Mike Reagan said the team did "exactly what we needed to do with the circumstances" before Saturday's game. The Bombers took advantage of the Bruins not getting into town until the scheduled game time of 7:30 p.m., and their fatigue from sitting on the bus. "...we wanted to get a jump on them early and we did that," said Reagan, happy with the 7-3 win. "We played a great first period and it dictated the way the rest of the game went." The Bombers couldn't keep the momentum going for the next afternoon as the Bruins came out with a better effort in the first period. With only 2:10 left on the clock, the Bruins scored three goals. Added to their one from early on in the period, they headed to the dressing room with a healthy lead. "We had a bad period," said Reagan. "We weren't ready to play. I don't think...(the Bruins) came out harder than expected. "We knew they would be ready to play. They were trying to get a split here in Flin Flon." The Bombers played a good second and third period, as Reagan says they were the better team in the last part of the game. "We just didn't play in the first. It's too good of a league to not show up for a period," he said. The Bombers and Bruins had two physical games. A few fights Saturday left the team wanting more on Sunday. Highlights Flin Flon captain Ryan Fox earned two goals Saturday. "It's been a while since he's been able to score," said Reagan. Along with Fox, Reagan said it was nice to see some goals from other players as well. Sunday afternoon, blueliner Jonathan Young put two goals under his belt. Previous to this weekend, the Bombers had earned just two goals in three games. In the two weekend games, the team had 10 goals against the Bruins. "That's more like it," said Reagan. "We've got some contributions from everyone last night," he said Sunday after the game. "and even tonight. It was good to see guys score some goals." Another positive sign is the fact that Flin Flon's power play has been improving over the season. With a few goals with the man advantage this weekend, Reagan said the team "moved the puck well." Though there is "always room for improvement," the coach says he's pleased with the progress. "I thought the power play could have bailed us out in the third period," Reagan said after Sunday's game. "We had some opportunities, but just couldn't capitalize them." The Bombers are heading out for their last four games of the 2010 portion of the regular season. The Bombers are in La Ronge tonight before taking on the North Stars tomorrow. Reagan says it's important to start the trip off right. "We need to start the trip on a W," he said. "It's important to get that first one. We have to have the same mentality as we did the last time we were in there." Knowing that it's a crucial game for them, Reagan says the Bombers will have "to do everyone we can to get a win." With Christmas just around the corner, Reagan says he hasn't heard the team talking about the break, but figures it will come up after the game against the North Stars. Following tomorrow's game, the Bombers will face the Klippers in a double-header weekend. From there, the players will head home for the holidays before hitting the ice at the Whitney Forum for the game against Team Sweden on Dec. 29.
