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.
The Flin Flon Bombers swept the Melfort Mustangs four games to none in the Conference Semi-Finals Wednesday night at the Northern Lights Palace. With a score of 5-2, the Bombers celebrated their first sweep as a club. Going into the game, the team was excited as they knew what was at stake. It was a do-or-die situation for the Mustangs and after Tuesday night's 7-6 win in overtime, the money was on the Bombers to take the series. "I thought Melfort (had) thrown all they could last night," said head coach and GM Mike Reagan, noting that they thought Wednesday's game should be a "decent win." And the Bombers held true to that as Devin Mitzner got things going with a powerplay goal early on in the first period. From there, the Mustangs answered back to tie things up, but Reid MacLeod wasn't going to let that stand has he made it 2-1. The Bombers added one more goal to the list to make it 3-1, a lead that stood until the third period. But the team came through and found one more goal before the Mustangs earned their second of the night. Rounding things up was an empty net goal to seal the deal Ð and the series. The previous game, Tuesday night, had a lot of "drama" according to Reagan. See 'Bombers' on pg. Continued from pg. But Wednesday's was a "solid game" said Reagan, where the Bombers were able to capitalize on their opportunities. "It was the exact series I thought it would be," he said. "Melfort played physical and tried to beat us up" but they were unsuccessful. The key to the team's success, said the coach, is to stay focused. "As a club, you have to stay focused on playing hockey,'" he says. "And we didn't get caught up in the intimidation (from Melfort)." Melfort tried the intimidation tactic to win the game, but the Bombers kept their focus and were able to skate by the home team with a win. "We were responsible with the puck," says Reagan, noting that they worked on taking the momentum away from the Mustangs. Reagan says his team played "outstanding hockey" as they are undefeated in regulation time since the beginning of February. Reagan said early on that the team's goal was to establish themselves. And Wednesday night was another tick on the sheet for the team. But the coach says things really got going in the first game of the series Ð where the Bombers shut out the Mustangs 6-0 at the Whitney Forum. "We dominated all aspects of the game," says Reagan, thinking back to the first game. When the Bombers and Mustangs first met for the playoffs, Reagan said he didn't think Flin Flon would take it in a sweep, but did think they would win the series. "I thought we were the better team," he said, adding that the only way to get wins is if you want the wins. Next on the docket for the Bombers is rest. The guys have earned a few days off to rejuvenate and get back on their feet. As for Reagan, he will be taking in a few of the Humboldt-Battlefords games. "We'll get a (heavy) scouting report then make a game plan according to the series," he says. As of today, the Bombers suspect they will match up against the Humboldt Broncos for the Conference Finals Ð the same as last year. But for now Ð rest. "We're happy the series is done," Reagan says. "The guys need a break."
