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Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Flin Flon Bombers are optimistic heading into the regular season despite ending the preseason with two consecutive losses. The Bombers were defeated 4-1 in OCN last Friday before losing 6-2 to the Blizzard at the Whitney Forum on Saturday. With injuries and two suspensions impacting his lineup, head coach and GM Mike Reagan said all things considered, he was happy with the team's performance. Along with rookies in the lineup, Reagan put in a player who was only 90 per cent and also moved a defenceman up to a forward. "...when you're missing four of your top players...you're hoping you can hang on," said Reagan. Though the scoreboard read 6-2 for the Blizzard on Saturday, Reagan says he didn't feel the score matched the game. "I was really happy with our compete level," he said. "I was disappointed we took so many penalties." Concerns over players winding up in the sin bin carry over from last season. "I thought that was something that really hurt us and it was a big problem that we had last year," Reagan said. Reagan told the team this was "something that we want to nip in the butt right away." On Friday, the Bombers were down 2-0 and earned their first goal as Jonathan Young found the back of the net. On the power play, the Blizzard quickly make it a 3-1 game. "You just gain some momentum and you shoot yourselves in the foot," said the coach, describing the situation. Happy with effort Overall, Reagan said he was happy with Saturday night's effort. "We didn't quit and I don't think it was a 6-2 hockey game," he said. Reagan pointed out after Saturday's game that OCN had been practicing together for two weeks, while the Bombers had had one practice as a team. "...we'll get there. I'm not worried," said a confident coach. Sitting with a roster of 24 players as of Monday, Reagan said he is pleased when he looks down the bench. The preseason gave the Bombers a few reasons to smile. "Beating Nipawin twice is good for us because they are in our division," Reagan said. "I was really happy with our rookies in the rookie game against Nipawin and I'm very excited about them and the future of our team." Reagan said he was really impressed with the work ethic from the team, which is a little banged up, and how hard the guys competed. "Our work ethic is better than last year already, I can tell that," he said. "I think there is some good chemistry in the dressing room." Five games The Bombers played five games in seven nights in the preseason Ð a feat not often done in the regular season. "That's a lot of hockey," said Reagan. "We're going to lick our wounds here a little bit and give the guys a day off tomorrow and get back at (it) on Monday," he said after Saturday's game. "We know we have a lot of work to do, but that's going to happen when you bring in so many new faces." Reagan said fans can expect a different team in the coming months. "I think the biggest thing with this club is patience," he said. "I think you're going to see a lot different team come December than you see right now. "That's what I'm excited about." Comparing the young players to sponges, the coach says they are able to make "leaps and bounds" and are going to be able to improve as a team. Feeling positive With so many new faces on the team this year, Reagan says the feeling in the dressing room is positive. "I think that there is a lot of eagerness in there," he said. With players wanting to learn, the coach says that makes his job more exciting. "When you're sitting in the dressing room talking to them and you see that they are listening and taking it all in and they are passionate about it, I mean, that kind of brings a smile to my face knowing that we recruited good character guys," said Reagan. Reagan said newly-named Bomber captain David Roper said it best when he said "this is probably the best feeling he's got in the dressing room in his three years being here." Reagan took that statement to heart. "When a guy has experienced two other teams, especially a team that was first overall two years ago, to say that Ð that's pretty good for us and (gives us) a pretty good feeling," he said. "So hopefully he's right." The Bombers host the Melfort Mustangs Friday night in the team's regular season home opener at the Whitney Forum.
