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 Flin Flon Bombers came out strong in the first period last Friday but fell flat as they lost 4-3 in overtime to the Kindersley Klippers in their own barn. The Bombers led the visitors 2-0 at the end of the first, but the score changed quickly in the second as the Klippers earned two goals themselves, with Flin Flon only adding one more. "We played very well in the first period," said head coach and GM Mike Reagan. "The problem with our guys is mentally they're not (there). "They think because they play one good period that the rest of the game they can just go through the motions." Reagan says the team is going to have to come together as a team for a full 60 minutes of hockey. "We've got to be a meat and potatoes team," he said, giving credit to assistant coach David Scully who first said this. "We've got to work and we're getting outworked." The Bombers held a 3-2 lead going into the third period, but the Klippers tied the game, sending it into OT. It didn't take Kindersley long to put one past Randy Graham Ð who was a wall for the Bombers as he turned away 42 shots in regulation. But a turnover in the Bomber zone led to the Klippers picking up the puck and getting the game-winning marker. Reagan says it wasn't the first time a team has scored on the Bombers after a turnover. "We're giving away two or three scoring opportunities each shift," said the coach. "That's just because the guys are bearing down and guys aren't paying enough attention to playing defence." Friday night was the first of two games for the Parents' Weekend held by the Bombers. In a game that started out well, Reagan said the team just went "down hill" after that. "In the third period, we didn't skate. We didn't move our feet. We were scared to win," he said. The Klippers fired 21 shots at Graham in the third period alone Ð the same number of shots the Bombers had all game. "We're extremely happy with the way (Graham) played. When you give up 21 shots in a period, you're not going to win too many hockey games," said Reagan. "We've got to do a better job of supporting our goaltender." Reagan says he knows both Graham and PJ Musico have seen a fair share of shots this season. "It's because we're not playing defensively we and we're not getting pucks out," he said. The next night, Saturday, the Bombers hosted the Klippers in the second game of the weekend Ð one that had a better outcome for the home team. Heading into the game, the Bombers knew they were going to have to "concentrate and focus." "It's the mental aspect of the game is where we're lacking," said Reagan, after Friday's game. "It's not the lack of talent or the lack of people in the lineup Ð we've got the skill level to be a very good team. We're just not competing every shift." The coach said mentally, the team is making a lot of mistakes. "We're turning over too many pucks. The game-winning goal (was) a turnover just inside their blueline," he said. "You can't do that." A highlight of the game came from the stands Friday night. The Bombers brought back their Tickets for Kids campaign, which gives local students an opportunity to attend a game free of charge. Along with the parents and fans in attendance, the Whitney Forum held roughly 1,180 spectators. "I was happy with the crowd. I was just disappointed we didn't come out with a better effort in the second and third," said Reagan.
