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 pre-season was good to the Flin Flon Bombers, but now itÕs time to get the regular season underway. And the Melfort Mustangs are in town tonight to help kick start the BombersÕ season. Going in on a five-game winning streak, head coach and GM Mike Reagan says the team is full of confidence, but he says they still need to give it their all tonight. ÒI think we are pretty happy with the results, but at the same time I hope it (doesnÕt) go to their heads,Ó says Reagan. ÒPre-season means something, (it gives the) team confidence, but at the same time, itÕs pre-season. There is a big difference between the pre-season and the regular season.Ó According to Reagan, the intensity of the game is different as the teams play for points. Another big difference between the seasons is the fact that there is a lot more on the line. As Reagan took over the bench boss role last year, there was always talk of the playoffs and what their goals as a team were. And even though it was pre-season, talk of the regular season was constantly going through the playersÕ minds. ÒWe talk about what (we are) trying to do and accomplish as a team,Ó says the coach. ÒThe season starts day one. You canÕt expect to turn on like a light switch, you have to want to win everyday and every game.Ó Reagan says it doesnÕt make a difference if it is in practice, training camp, pre-season or regular season. ÒI believe you have to compete everyday, but if you just go through the motions, you create bad habits,Ó he says. And those bad habit turn into Òbeing lazy and not finishing all aspects of the game.Ó With that being said, the coaches drilled that concept into the playersÕ heads. But Reagan says it takes time. ÒYou canÕt expect (everything) to happen all in one day,Ó he says. ÒIf we work on each and every day, we should be where we want to be as a team.Ó And as a team, the Bombers hope to be SJHL Champions this year. ÒI truly believe we can. We have as good of a chance as anyone. ÒIt comes down to the execution and whoÕs playing their best hockey in the playoffs.Ó But the playoffs are still a ways away. It wasnÕt that long ago that the Bombers hosted their main camp Ð on Labour Day weekend. But Reagan says it feels like months have gone by. And the time from last yearÕs season as flown by. ÒThe summer went by really quick,Ó he says. ÒI was actually hoping it would have (been) longer. ÒWe are really excited to get going.Ó ÒI think the returning players are surprised at how good the young players are,Ó says Reagan, noting that talk in the dressing room has everyone excited for the regular season. Once the pre-season ended, it gave the team a chance to practice, which Reagan says is a good thing before the home opener. ÒWeÕve got a few systems to work on. But you donÕt want to throw too much (at them) at once,Ó he says. The demands of the main camp as well as the pre-season are both Òphysically and mentally draining,Ó says the coach. The Bombers hit the ice tonight in the Whitney Forum for their home opener against the Melfort Mustangs.
