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.
With the SJHL Selection Series out of the way, it comes down to winner takes all, according to Bomber head coach and GM Mike Reagan. The Bombers got what they were hoping for as Humboldt chose to play the Nipawin Hawks for the Conference Semi-finals, which run March 7-18. Flin Flon and Melfort will be battling it out, starting tonight in Melfort, which is what Reagan was hoping for. ÒWe match up pretty well and we have a winning record against them,Ó says the coach. He says both teams played similar through the regular season, but they are in a different boat now. ÒWe know the playoffs are a different story. But weÕre relying on our success from the regular season.Ó Travel isnÕt a new thing for the Bombers, or any team in the area for that matter, but Reagan says itÕs going to be an advantage for the Maroon and White. ÒWeÕre happy with it, and it was our choice actually,Ó he says. ÒWe believe it works for us because the team is used to it. ÒOthers arenÕt used to the road trip that we do, so it plays in our favour,Ó says the first-year coach. As the Bombers played a fair portion of the regular season and the Selection Series with a less than full roster, Reagan says it will be nice to have everyone back again. ÒWe should have almost everyone on the roster and weÕre the healthiest weÕve been all year,Ó he says. ÒItÕs a nice change. We havenÕt had a full roster in a long time.Ó With many sports come superstitions, but he says the team looks past that to what is really important. ÒWeÕre just focused and what we have to do as a team and be as prepared as possible.Ó The Bombers are on the ice for practices, similar to the regular season, but Reagan says they are also turning to electronics as an advantage. ÒWeÕve been looking at videos of Melfort and making a game plan based on what we have seen from them,Ó he says. Going into the playoffs is a big opportunity and as the coach says, itÕs one for all. ÒItÕs different from the Selection Series as the winner takes all. The intensity is going to pick and the guys are more focused right now,Ó says Reagan. Bomber forward Tommy Castonguay says with the games right around the corner, his mind is focused on the games ahead. ÒWeÕre focused to get a win in Melfort and come back here for a win,Ó says the Rimouski, Quebec native. ÒMy principal focus is to get a win in their rink.Ó ItÕs been said all year by the coaching staff and players that going into a game with confidence will play out better for the team in the end. The Bombers know what they are made of, and Castonguay says they are getting ready to prove it. ÒI donÕt think they (Melfort) is better than us. They are in the standings because of their goalie,Ó says the 19-year-old. ÒWe are an overall better team,Ó says the confident player. ÒWeÕve got four lines of scorers and we match up to them.Ó CastonguayÕs hope for the playoffs is to have big full crowds every night. ÒIÕm pretty sure they will be here.Ó The Bombers are on the ice tonight in Melfort and then at the Whitney Forum on Sunday night. The teams travel back to Melfort a game on Tuesday and then Flin Flon on Thursday, March 13. March 15, in Melfort, March 16 in Flin Flon and March 18 in Melfort will be played if necessary.
