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.
Twenty-four goals in four games helped to end the Bombers' regular season Wednesday night as the Battlefords North Stars were in town. Out of the Maroon and White's 24 goals Ð three of which were scored against the North Stars Ð 18 were unanswered by either the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Melfort Mustangs or the North Stars. The team was able to shut out the visitors Wednesday 3-0, as Ryan Kerpan guarded the mesh and more than 800 fans cheered and gave a standing ovation to the Bombers. Going into the game, neither the Bombers nor the North Stars had anything to play for, as the game would not effect the standings or who the teams would face in the playoffs. With that said, head coach and GM Mike Reagan says sometimes, that can make for a harder game. "It was tough," says Reagan. "The game means nothing (so) we just hope (we) come out healthy." The Bombers ended their last regular season game healthy and able to complete their goal for the month Ð to be undefeated in regulation time. Shutting out three teams in a row, Reagan says it leaves the team feeling pretty good. "It says a lot about commitment," he says. Looking at Wednesday's game, two of the Bombers' goals came on the powerplay. Working as a team, Reagan says it wasn't always easy to get the specialty teams to click. "We were very focused and had the opportunity early on," says the coach. Although the Maroon and White couldn't get past Kyle Birch in the first period, a talk through intermission gave the team what they needed. Michael Young came in and scored the team's first goal, shorthanded, followed by two powerplay goals in the third period from Tommy Castonguay and Alex Lamontagne. When it comes to scoring and the Bombers, Reagan says the numbers are pretty good. Including the 24 goals in the past week, the Bombers put 213 goals in the net this season Ð third-best in the league. "We have guys who can put the puck in the net," says Reagan. The Bombers, according to Reagan, have four strong lines with players who are able to get to the back of the net Ð something not every team has. "We are able to score more goals per game," he says. The following is a summary of Wednesday's game: The first period had the Bombers come out a little flat, but it was the second period that had the action starting. Young put away a shorthanded goal with help from Josh Garneau and Cole Wilson at the 3:14 mark. That one goal stood for the remainder of the period before another pep talk during the intermission got the Bombers back on their feet. Castonguay came in for the team's second goal Ð on a power play Ð after accepting a pass from Young to score the team's second goal of the night. Two minutes later, at the 8:08 mark, Lamontagne came in with the third goal Ð on another power play Ð with help from Garneau and Castonguay to end the Bombers' scoring in the regular season. The Bombers slapped their sticks around the traditional moose leg as the crowd gave a standing ovation. The Bombers have the weekend off before hitting the ice Monday for four days of playoff practice. The Bombers will be hosting the Melfort Mustangs next Friday and Saturday for games one and two in the Conference Semi-Finals.
