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.
It was a successful night for the Flin Flon Bombers as they came out on top 5-4 over the Melfort Mustangs in their home opener. With 1,401 fans in the Whitney Forum it was a big night for the team. Before the game, the Bombers held a tailgate party in the parking lot to help amp up the season. The nice weather and sunshine encouraged more people to come out and have their faces painted, have a hot dog and for those who could, a drink from the beer gardens. Fans made their way into the rink to watch the teams warm up for the game as well as watch a video montage about the team. Once everyone was able to get a glimpse at what the team was about this year, CFAR 590's Rob Hart introduced the players and coaching staff. Going in numerical order, the players skated through a Bomber logo and maroon fog before lining up on the blue line. Saving the captain for last, the Bombers introduced the captain for this season Ð Michael Young. Having the letter on his jersey is the only change this notices. "It feels amazing and obviously it's a huge honour," says the returning player. Young says he will try to lead the Bombers to the ultimate goal this year Ð the RBC Cup. With that said, Young says he doesn't feel much different than he did last year. "They put a 'C' on my jersey," he says. "I'm going to try and play my heart with the guys." As a leader already, head coach and GM Mike Reagan says Young was a natural choice for the team this year. "It was pretty obvious," says Reagan. "He's the best defenseman and he could be the best player in the league." With no added pressure there, Reagan says he knows Young will do whatever it takes to win. Saturday's game was a test as a captain as Young helped to guide the rookies into their first victory as Bombers in the regular season. "They weren't (all) ready for the Whitney Forum," says the blue liner. But he says once the guys were able to get used to the atmosphere, things were easier. Saturday's game was prime example of nervous players, but the captain says once they were able to get past the first period, the Bombers came out "raring to go in the second and third period." Young says when it comes to the Bombers they all take the season one game at a time Ð even though they are of course thinking about the RBC Cup. "We're going to take one game at a time and win as (many) as we can," he says.
