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.
REGINA- They don't play against regular midget 'AA' teams often, so the Flin Flon Bombers improve by getting thrown in the fire. The Bombers finished the Western Canada Invitational Midget 'AA' Tournament with a 9-5 loss at the hands of the Saskatoon Bobcats. It was the second period that did the team in as they gave up seven goals. "We played very sloppy defensively in the second period and every mistake we made they (Bobcats) buried it in the net," said Bombers coach Greg Phair. "Every mistake." One of the goals resulted in players not taking their man so the skater could walk in and beat goalie Ryan Scott. The team showed strength and ability to fight back as Kyle Assie and captain Matthew Kritzer scored early in the third to make it 8-5. "Well the turning point was number 10 Kyle Assie had a breakaway there, cut across the middle and couldn't stuff in the backhand," Phair said, describing the scoring chance. "If we had scored there, it would have made it 8-6 and we would have had them more on the run." A different team that came out for their final 20 minutes. The improved play rubbed off on Scott, too. "Everyone just started getting better in the third so it just helped me focus," Ryan said. "You can't get mad at yourself or anyone, you just got to stay focussed and forget what happened." Alternate captain Kiley Spiller pointed out that because the team won the third period 2-1, that it showed they can compete and defeat their foes. "We said that it was a long seven hour drive to play three games so we either had to come back and win that game or go home Saturday," Kiley said. The important thing for the Bombers was to win the third period. "It looked like it was a lot of fun to play and to watch and all the kids agreed and they realize that's the way they got to play the game, with some urgency," Phair said. The first game against the Prince Albert Devils was a struggle after the team traveled for eight hours and lost 7-2. Scott started that game. The second game against the Saskatoon Flyers, with Blair Chaisson in net, was a 6-2 loss because of a poor start. "Well we played good in the last period, but the first two periods we were a little slow," said captain Matthew Kritzer. "We just weren't really ready at the start, then we picked it up near the end, we played good and we kept up with them." Despite finishing third in a three-team pool and not winning the game to continue, Phair felt his team played to expectations. "I hope the boys learn that's the way we have to play every period at this level of play," Phair said of the third period performance against the Bobcats. "Zero minutes to 60 minutes, that's the way the game has to be played.
