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.
Dillan McCombie made a big move in the Flin Flon Bomber's Home Opener Saturday night as he made it a 1-0 game before fans even realized the puck had dropped. The Flin Flonner found the back of the net :42 into the first period against the Melfort Mustangs. The night before, the Bombers fell 3-0 to the Mustangs in their Home Opener, but proved the Whitney Forum is their barn as they shut out the Mustangs 2-0. McCombie's goal, with help from Brock Hounsell and Cam Blair, stood strong and carried the Bombers well into the third period. Blair picked up his own marker at 8:49 of the final frame with help from McCombie and Parker Evans-Campbell to make it the final 2-0 score. The Bombers were on target in their first regular season home game as they fired off 11 shots alone in the first period to Melfort goaltender Austin Rediron. Rediron is no stranger to the Bombers as he attended the team's Main Camp last season. Rediron faced the Bomber's rath another nine times in the second period and 10 in the third for a total of 30 shots on net, Friday. Bomber goaltender Devin Buffalo turned away 39 shots from the Mustangs, Saturday night. The team fired off 15 in the first period, 10 in the second, and 14 in the third. Friday, Buffalo saw 35 shots come his way _ stopping 33 of them. Friday night, The Bombers put up a good fight against the home team as they fired off 11 shots in the second and 17 shots in the third period. The Mustangs earned markers in the first and second period as well as an empty-net goal in the third period of their home opener. The Bombers and Mustangs split their opening weekend and proved good goaltending is key in hockey. Buffalo turned away 72 shots in two games _ allowing just two past him Friday night. Rediron turned away 61 shots from the Bombers, with the lantern being lit Saturday night. During the preseason, head coach and GM Mike Reagan said he hoped to see a full crowd at the team's Home Opener. A recorded 1,250 fans watched as the Bombers defeated the Mustangs 2-0. Last year, support reached over 1,400 fans, but there was no indication the volume was any lower this past weekend. Cheers and chants could be heard from all ends of the Whitney Forum as the Maroon and White _ and Gold _ showed their colours Saturday night. See 'New' on pg. Continued from pg. The team hit the ice during player introductions with their new third jerseys. In the past, the team had worn black jerseys with a Bomber burst on them occasionally. This year, the new sweaters have a more vintage-look to them as they are mainly maroon and white with gold trim and the word Bombers simply spelled across the front. Bomber fans also had the chance to cheer on homegrown talent as Evan Akkerman joins McCombie on the ice this year. The former Norman Northstar made it through the trials of Main Camp and preseason. The Flin Flonner weighs in a 192 pounds and stands 6'1. He shoots right and wears 14 on his sweater. The right-winger has played one game with the Bombers in the regular season. Second Place Following the weekend action, the Bombers and Mustangs are tied for second place in the Sherwood Division as they trail the La Ronge Ice Wolves. The Ice Wolves picked up two wins over the weekend _ giving them four points _ compared to the Bombers and Mustangs who split their games for two points each. The Ice Wolves, Humboldt Broncos, and Kindersley Klippers are tied for first in the SJHL as of Tuesday. The Bombers are gearing up for their next home game as they welcome the Nipawin Hawks on Saturday. The Hawks lost both of their first two games against the La Ronge Ice Wolves and will visit the Weyburn Red Wings Friday before entering the Whitney Forum.
