The Flin Flon Bombers picked up a pair of road wins over the weekend, keeping pace with the Nipawin Hawks and Notre Dame Hounds, who also won both their games.
Notre Dame is currently fourth in the SJHL standings, three points ahead of Nipawin and Flin Flon, with one week to go in the regular season.
Adam Beukeboom returned to the Bomber net over the weekend, making his first start since mid January.
Beukeboom made 34 saves on Friday night as the Bombers doubled up on the Melville Millionaires 4-2. On Saturday he stopped all 38 shots to lead the Bombers to a 1-0 win over the Yorkton Terriers.
Brett Kitt led the way offensively with a goal and two assists on Friday. Michael Knaub had a goal and an assist.
Call-up Nick Shumlanski scored his first goal as a Bomber, and Austin Calladine also found the back of the net.
Unlike the last time these two teams met, when 231 penalty minutes were handed out, this time saw only two minor penalties handed out to each side.
Friday’s game against the Millionaires was a possible playoff preview.
If the post-season were to start today, Flin Flon and Melville would face each other in the quarter-finals.
The Millionaires are holding onto third in the SJHL standings by virtue of leading the Viterra Division, with a narrow lead over the Estevan Bruins and Weyburn Red Wings.
With Friday’s win, Flin Flon swept the season series 4-0.
Squeaked by
On Saturday, Alex Smith’s goal halfway through the third period was the only goal of the game as the Bombers squeaked by the Terriers 1-0.
Flin Flon was outshot 38-30 but Adam Beukeboom was perfect to earn his fourth shutout of the year. He improved his record to 9-4 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a save percentage of 0.930.
When the playoffs start next week, the defending national champion Terriers will be on the outside looking in.
The Bombers will have a chance to eliminate the La Ronge Ice Wolves from playoff contention this weekend.
Flin Flon will be in La Ronge on Friday and return home on Saturday to face the same Ice Wolves. Please note that Saturday’s game will start at 6:30.
La Ronge is currently two points behind the Weyburn Red Wings for the final playoff spot, with only these two games against the Bombers remaining.
Flin Flon has three games left, the last being on March 3 at home against the Nipawin Hawks.
