The Flin Flon Bombers have managed to pick up a point in each of the first two games of their current four-game road trip.
Unfortunately they gave up a third period lead in each case, losing 5-4 in a shootout in Nipawin on Tuesday and then on Wednesday lost in overtime to the Estevan Bruins by the same score.
On Tuesday, the Bombers spotted the Hawks a three-goal lead before scoring four times in the second period to jump ahead by a goal heading into the third.
For the most part, Flin Flon was the better team in this contest, but defensive breakdowns and a couple of bad breaks cost them early.
The Bombers, who scored on two of seven power play chances, got goals from Tyler Bell and Brett Boehm while with the extra attacker.
Braden Lacoursiere and Danys Chartrand scored the even-strength goals, but it was Kris Spriggs who did the major damage for the Hawks, scoring with less than five minutes to play in the third period and potting the winner in the shootout.
Shots on net were 43-33 in favour of the Bombers.
Took lead
On Wednesday, the Bombers were the ones to jump out to a 3-0 lead, getting first period goals from Brett Boehm, Tyler Bell and Austin Evans, the latter two coming just 20 seconds apart.
The Bruins scored twice in the second period, but so did Michael Knaub, giving the Bombers a 4-2 lead heading into the third frame.
Flin Flon couldn’t hold that lead, and the Bruins scored twice in a 20-second span to tie the game and send things to OT, where Keegan Allison score his second of the night 31 seconds in on a power play. He also had two assists in the game for a four-point night.
It was the second time in as many games that the Bombers took a penalty in the extra frame.
Simon Hofley made 20 saves as the Bombers outshot the Bruins 32-25. It was the first time in eight games that the Bombers were held to under 40 shots.
The Bombers were scoreless on three power play chances while the Bruins made good on
two of six tries.
Flin Flon is now 23-8-6-6 on the season.
If the playoffs were to start today, the Bombers would finish in fifth place and find themselves facing the Nipawin Hawks in the first round. They currently trail the Hawks by a single point for fourth overall but have one game in hand.
The Notre Dame Hounds would finish sixth, and they are currently two points behind the Bombers. La Ronge and Yorkton would be the two teams on the outside looking in.
Flin Flon will be in Weyburn tonight to take on the Red Wings, and will finish their road trip tomorrow with a tilt against the Notre Dame Hounds.
Next home action will be on Wednesday, Feb. 4 when they host the Battlefords Stars.
