Athletes have to be ready when called upon.
The Flin Flon Bombers are headed to their first SJHL final since 1993 thanks to players such as Rylee Zimmer, Zac Robidoux and Cory Thomas delivering when the opportunity arose.
Zimmer was the double-overtime hero for Flin Flon last Saturday, April 9 when the Bombers overcame three- and two-goal deficits to defeat the Battlefords North Stars 6-5. That gave Flin Flon a 4-1 semifinal series win.
After accumulating two points in his previous nine playoffs games, Zimmer recorded three in what would be the series finale. He said his game-winner at 7:30 of the second OT gave him the best feeling he has ever had.
“We had to come out in that second period a desperate hockey team, throwing everything on net from everywhere, traffic and playing our game, and that’s what we did,” said the 18-year-old forward. “We have a room full of guys with huge hearts and guys that would do anything to win. It was a true character win, and that’s what a winning team does – finds ways to win.”
Of Zimmer’s key contributions in Saturday’s game 5, Flin Flon head coach Mike Reagan said: “That is what depth is all about. You can’t rely on two, three guys to do all of your scoring.”
In the case of Robidoux, the netminder was ready when called upon to again guard the Bombers’ crease. After serving as a back-up most of the playoffs, he regained the starter’s job in games 4 and 5 against the North Stars.
“I tried to stay focused, and not let my confidence fall, because you’re always one play away from being in net,” Robidoux said.
He drew parallels to last season when he was a back-up goalie for the MJHL’s Portage Terriers. He emerged as the starter later on in the postseason and backstopped the team to a national Junior A championship at the Royal Bank Cup.
In game 1 of Flin Flon’s quarter-final series against Weyburn, Robidoux started but was relieved by Brenden Newton. After the Bombers lost that game, Newton backstopped the club to six straight victories – including two against Battlefords.
In game 3 against the North Stars, it was Robidoux who came in to relieve Newton. Between that moment and the end of the series, the 20-year-old stopped 93 per cent of the 121 shots he faced.
“All year they have supported each other,” Reagan said of the two puckstoppers. “Both are great goaltenders. At some point, you are going to need both goaltenders if you are going to win.”
Thomas, 17, spent most of this winter as the Bombers’ seventh defenceman. He saw ice time in 36 games, but when Pierre-Luc Morin, Flin Flon’s lone 20-year-old blueliner, broke his jaw against Weyburn, Thomas was called on to take an increased role. He was paired with Curtis Roach and has seen a lot of ice time.
“Cory Thomas has been unbelievable. He has been like a top four guy in the playoffs,” said Reagan, adding that the talented youngster’s confidence increased after playing in the CJHL Prospects Game in January, and even more so in the playoffs.
What has allowed Thomas to flourish in the pressure cooker that is the SJHL post-season?
“Being confident and knowing how important every game is in playoffs has helped me step up my game,” he said. “Playoff games are a lot more intense and fast-paced, and I’ve always found that I play better in those situations. I know that every shift is just as important as the last, and I always have to be willing to take hits or block shots to help out the team.”
The Bombers hope to have Morin back for the final.
A generous contingent of Flin Flon fans was on hand for Saturday’s deciding game. Estimates ranged from 200 to 400 fans cheering on the visitors.
The win gave the Bombers their first league final appearance since 1993, when they defeated the Melville Millionaires to capture the league championship. The Bombers also won the Anavet Cup that year, earning a berth in what is now known as the Royal Bank Cup.
Flin Flon has lost just twice in 10 games this post-season: game 1 against Weyburn and game 3 against Battlefords. Alex Smith has accumulated 13 points (4G, 9A) to lead the club in scoring.
The Reminder will follow the series online and in print. Like “Flin Flon Reminder” on Facebook to receive breaking news and sports updates.
’Stangs or Hawks?
The Canalta Cup Final will include the Flin Flon Bombers. That much is known.
However, the Bombers won’t know who they’ll face in the championship round until tonight, Wednesday, when the Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks hit the ice for game 7 of their semi-final series.
The Mustangs, the defending SJHL champs, and the Hawks are knotted up at 3-3 after both teams successfully defended home ice. Tonight’s game is in Melfort.
Whichever team advances, it will be one the Bombers know well, as both Melfort and Nipawin are Sherwood Division foes.
“We have played them a lot,” Bombers head coach Mike Reagan said. “We are pretty familiar with them. We know what to expect.”
Flin Flon was 3-2-0-1 against both Melfort and Nipawin in the regular season. The Mustangs and Hawks finished second and fourth in the regular season standings, meaning either team will enjoy home-ice advantage over the sixth-place Bombers.
It’s not yet known when the championship series will start.
– With files from Jonathon Naylor
