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 started off strong in the 2012-13 season, but have seen a downfall in the past three weeks. The Bombers have gone from top of the SJHL to sitting in third place, but head coach and GM Mike Reagan says it isn't the end of the world. 'We have to look at the big picture, that we have been in first place for most the season,' he said. 'Are we disappointed in the way we have played lately? Yes, but there are a lot of variables to take (into) consideration.' Among those variables are injuries and time away from the rink. The Bombers have been missing their first line for most of this month along with their top blueliner. 'Winning is contagious and so is losing. We have struggled with confidence during this slide,' he said after the Bombers came off a 3-2 loss to the Battlefords North Stars last Wednesday night. 'I believe in this team and we are sticking together. 'When we get back healthy, I think this team will play up to the expectations of everyone.' Reagan says he and the team have lots of work ahead of them. 'We need to put the work boots and hard hats (on), come together as a group, and play consistent hockey,' said the coach. The Bombers will hit the Whitney Forum ice on Jan. 2, following their Christmas break, for their first practice time of the new year. The team looks to the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Jan. 4 followed by a hard practice, said Reagan. Five-day rest Following the game in La Ronge, the Bombers will have five days of rest before starting a four-game home stand. 'I like our schedule in the second half (of the season) as we have lots of practice time,' Reagan said. In previous years, the Bombers have jumped into a four-game road series in five days right after the holiday break. 'In the past, we have had way too many games with very little practice, which led to guys being tired and banged up heading into the playoffs,' said Reagan. The Bombers have 18 games remaining in the 2012-13 regular season. An even split of nine home and nine away games will leave Flin Flon hosting the Melfort Mustangs _ just as they did in their home opener _ on Feb. 26 to close out the season. From there, the Bombers are set to join four other teams from the Bauer Conference in the playoffs. 'I see us being a team that will be ready for a long playoff run,' said Reagan. 'Our goal is to be healthy and playing confident hockey heading into the playoffs.' Earlier in the season the Bombers opened with an 8-0 record _ stopped by the Yorkton Terriers on Oct. 16 _ including an impressive 14-0 home record before losing to the Nipawin Hawks Nov. 23. 'I see us as a team capable of putting together a long winning streak when we get everyone back in the lineup,' said Reagan. Knowing the month of December was less than successful _ as the Bombers sat with a 2-5-0-0 record after last Wednesday's game _ Reagan says he has full faith in the team. 'I like our team and am very confident we will turn things around and look back at these adverse times as a learning experience that will (have) helped us become a better team,' he said. The coach isn't the only believer. 'Everyone in this dressing room believes we have a championship calibre team in us,' he said. 'We just need to get out and earn it day in and day out.' Following the team's double-header in Kindersley this past weekend, the Bombers now join the rest of the SJHL on Christmas break.
