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 are 3-0 in the preseason after defeating the Nipawin Hawks twice and the Swan Valley Stampeders once. Tonight, the Bombers look to capitalize on opportunities in OCN before hosting the Blizzard tomorrow night. Though preseason wins give a team, especially a young one, confidence, Bomber head coach and GM Mike Reagan says the trick is not to get too confident. "I think it's good for our confidence," said Reagan. "I think there are a lot of questions surrounding the team." The coach says the perfect preseason gives fans a chance to get excited as "maybe the team is better than they anticipated." Along with the right level of confidence, the coach says preseason success also gives the team the opportunity to see that they are capable of winning games. "At the same time, it doesn't mean you're going to be undefeated in the first three games of the regular season," said Reagan. Previous seasons have seen the Bombers go undefeated in the preseason, but they have been unable to translate that early success into an RBC Cup. Of course there is more to a season than a perfect preseason record. "We'll take it," Reagan says, "but I'm not putting too much stock into that. It does feel good and makes the coaching staff feel more confident in the guys heading into the season." To keep the momentum going when points are at stake, the coach says it's important to constantly talk with the team about "gearing up for regular season." "And that's the message we sent last night," Reagan said in a phone interview Wednesday discussing the season up to that point. 'Getting better' The coach stressed the importance to the team of "getting better each and every game." Working with a younger team, Reagan says it's important to build confidence as that is key for players just entering the junior level. Reagan said those players often question whether they are capable. "Getting a couple wins, well that answers that question," said Reagan, who continued to stress that they cannot get too confident and lose focus. "They start to realize and believe they are as good as we thought they were." Looking at his team, the coach says the jump from midget to junior is a bigger leap for some players compared to others. Nonetheless, Reagan says he "feels confident in (this) group of guys." Above .500 Though the Bombers still have two preseason dates left before the big home opener, the team will at the very least end the exhibition campaign above .500 "Heading into the season, it makes you more of a believer," said Reagan. Even if the Bombers leave the preseason with a perfect record, Reagan says there is a still a long way to go before claiming a championship. "Our main goal is to develop these guys," said Reagan. "And to make sure they are getting better. Come the end of the year, hopefully we're a better club than we were at the start of the year." The Bombers visit OCN tonight as they are up against the Blizzard, an MJHL team they only see in preseason action. With a number of returning OCN players this year, Reagan says the club is expecting a tough match-up. "They have a very good goalie and scoring might be a bit difficult," said the coach. "It's going to be a real good test for us, I think." Following the preseason, the Bombers will prepare for their home opener against the Melfort Mustangs on Sept. 16.
