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.
The Nipawin Hawks didnÕt seem to have a chance Tuesday night as the Bombers defeated them 9-0 in both teamsÕ final game of the regular season. It was a tough challenge for the Bombers. Not only was the team playing their final game before playoffs, but teammates Reid MacLeod and Pierre-Luc Boucher were in a fight against La Ronge's Jordie Johnston for the SJHL scoring title. Running up the score, like the 9-0 from that night, isnÕt something the Bombers would normally do, but there was a lot at stake for the players. ÒWe werenÕt running up the score. If Reid wasnÕt in a scoring race, we would never have done that,Ó says head coach and GM Mike Reagan. Throughout the third period, Reagan started doubling up on shifts, giving both MacLeod and Boucher the chances they needed to hopefully earn a title. After earning himself two goals and three assists, Bomber MacLeod was named the SJHLÕs Scoring Champion with 89 points. Johnston followed closely with 88 points and Boucher finished with 86 points. ÒThis is special in a playerÕs life, to be named the scoring champion,Ó says Reagan. ÒThe opportunity doesnÕt come around often.Ó See 'Top' on pg. Continued from pg. Captain Dennis Kubat finished in the top seven of the SJHL with 74 points. Kubat picked up the first goal of Tuesday nightÕs game, along with another in the third period and two assists in the game. Boucher walked away with two goals and an assist as well. Carsen Chubak stood strong in the pipes during the game as he had 17 shots come his way throughout the game, and kept his shutout. It was Kubat who started things off with a power play goal late in the first period, with only 45 seconds remaining, after being fed by MacLeod and Myles Masse. With scoring on their minds, the teams didnÕt spend much time in the penalty box. Harley Garrioch took the only one for the Bombers in the opening period with a charging call. And it was Derek Holenski who was given two minutes for tripping while Todd Panchyson was in the box for hooking. In the first period the Bombers fired off 14 shots on Daniel DiCamillo as Chubak faced only six shots. The second period saw the Bombers continue their scoring streak as Boucher found the back of the net before the eight minute mark on the clock, with help from Cole Wilson and Kubat. And then it was MacLeod, scoring his first of the night, with help from Boucher and Cameron MacKinnon, nearly 14 minutes into the period. Chubak had another eight shots come his way, but it was the Bombers who almost doubled up on the Hawks as they had 14 shots in the other end. With a 3-0 lead over the Hawks, the teams headed to their dressing rooms, before hitting the ice for the third period of the game, and the final period of the regular season. Just shy of 1,100 fans crowded into the rink to see the Maroon and White score another six goals in the final period. Boucher started it off with an assist from MacLeod, making it 4-0. Matt Dyck, scoring his first goal of the season, found the back of the net with help from Barrett Penner. MacKinnon was next with an unassisted goal. And it was Kubat who scored the seventh goal of the game, with help from Restoule and MacLeod. With the last two minutes on the clock, MacLeod earned himself his scoring title as he, along with Kubat and Michael Young, scored the eight goal of the night. And David Dykstra found the back of the net for the final goal of the game, with less than 30 seconds on the clock, after being fed by Bredon Bentz, from AP, and Scott Day. DiCamillo was busy in the third period as he had 19 shots on net. Chubak on the other hand was able to take in the game as he only saw the puck three times in the last 20 minutes of play. With another win under their belt, the Bombers are sitting right where they want to be, according to Clayton Quinn. ÒWeÕre going in (to the playoffs) on a high. We want to be ready, and we feel we are ready now,Ó says the confident assistant coach. ÒWeÕre playing good D and weÕre ready now.Ó With the regular season finished, Reagan says heÕs happy with the way things went this year. ÒWe have had a lot of accomplishments this year. Before the season, we would have never thought we would have 70 points.Ó At the beginning of the season Reagan had a few goals of his own. ÒThird place,Ó he says. ÒI thought we would be here, we would find a way. ÒItÕs always been a goal to finish in the top three, since I took over the job.Ó And so they did. With hard work, determination and confidence, the Bombers made it to third place, which hasnÕt been done since the 2000-01 season. Aside from making it into third place, they figured they would end up with five home losses all season. The team ended with six. And Reagan says the team wanted to be able to have one of the best in power plays and penalty kills. The Bombers are in the top four in both conferences. The Bombers start their Round Robin play tonight in Humboldt as they take on the Broncos, the top team in the SJHL. and the CJAHL. Then the Maroon and White travel to Melfort on Saturday night.
