The Flin Flon Bombers stole four points from the La Ronge Ice Wolves this week as they defeated them at the Whitney Forum and on the road.
Tuesday’s 4-0 win set the stage for the game the following night in La Ronge.
And Flin Flon didn’t flinch as they broke the Ice Wolves down 3-1 on home ice.
Two consecutive wins bumped the Bombers from the basement of the Sherwood Division to second spot – just two points below the Nipawin Hawks and tied with the Ice Wolves.
Head coach and GM Mike Reagan knew the standings would be tighter this year as the SJHL switched to three conferences – Sherwood, Kramer, and Viterra – with only four teams each.
Even three or four wins can easily send a team from the basement to the penthouse.
The Bombers have spent their fair share of time at the bottom of the standings.
But with a second-place ranking, all of sudden things are looking up with a 10-8-0-0 record.
“If we could score some goals then we’d be sitting really good in our conference,” Reagan said.
Following Wednesday’s game the Bombers sat with 48 goals this season as they have had 37 against them – the lowest in the SJHL.
Changes, Challenges
The Bombers have long been a high-scoring team with an impressive record heading into the Christmas break.
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Last year, Flin Flon had over a dozen straight wins on home ice to kick off the season.
This year, things are different.
“We’re a totally different team and the expectations are a little different this year,” said Reagan, noting that he likes where the season is going.
The Bombers are having similar road success as they have in past years, but have found themselves struggling on home ice.
After this week’s win, the Maroon and White sat 6-4-0-0 at the Whitney Forum, whereas in past seasons they may have seen only one loss, if any, at this point in the season.
It’s no secret that the club has been having a hard time with their power play this year. Reagan says it’s an area of concern.
The Maroon and White did pick up a power play marker Tuesday as Danys Chartrand made it a 3-0 game.
Timing
Reagan says timing is key.
“...it’s not so much how many power play goals you’re scoring, but early on in the game when you get a power play goal,” he said.
“I think that’s huge for the hockey club. It takes a lot of pressure off the guys.”
The coach says the organization is working hard to conquer challenges faced this season.
“As long as we continue to get better, I think the results will come,” he said.
Patience is going to be key for the Bombers as the team has many new faces.
“I think we’re going to see the results of our patience with our young 18-year-olds come January and February,” said Reagan.
Reagan is taking a different approach to the team this year.
“We’ve been an organization that’s used to being in the top three in the league heading into Christmas time. This is a little bit of a change for us,” he said.
To get to this point in the standings, Reagan said, “we’ve had to work.”
“Last year, it came easy for us and guys got complacent, nonchalant and practice habits weren’t the greatest,” he said.
“It’s a different way of going about it, but it might be a better way for us.”
The Bombers still have 16 games before the Christmas break and a number of things could happen.
“I think we still have a really good hockey club,” said the coach, pleased with Tuesday’s outcome.
“Tonight is a perfect example of how tough we are to play against when we’re all going.”
Flin Flon’s shutout showed why they are the toughest team to score against in the SJHL.
“You gotta take pride in that,” Reagan said.
With plenty of hockey left before the holidays, the Bombers will face tough competition.
This weekend is prime example as they travel to Melville tomorrow and then Yorkton on Sunday.
Tomorrow’s game against the Millionaires will be a big test as their home record is ranked top in the league.
Melville sits with 27 points going into tomorrow’s game and a record of 12-3-1-2.
The Bombers will take on the Yorkton Terriers the following night. Yorkton sits just one point below the Millionaires with 26 and second spot in the league – tied with the Kindersley Klippers.
Flin Flon Bombers goaltender Devin Buffalo kept his eye on the puck as he deflected a shot from the La Ronge Ice Wolves with his blocker. The Bombers went on to win 4-0 as Buffalo turned away 29 shots.
Flin Flonner Dillan McCombie made his way down the ice as he skated past two La Ronge Ice Wolves.
Veteran Brock Hounsell watched the play from behind the net as the Bombers hosted the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Tuesday night.
PHOTOS BY KELLY CARRINGTON
