The waiting is over as another exciting season of Flin Flon Bombers hockey starts tonight.
The Bombers will host the Hawks in the first game of a home-and-home series that concludes in Nipawin tomorrow.
After going 4-1-0-1 in the exhibition season, the Bombers have had a week off to practice and prepare for their home opener.
“The guys are excited to be starting the season at home,” said head coach Mike Reagan. “There might be a few jitters to start the game, but I’m expecting us to play much the same as we did in our last exhibition game. We’ve got a lot of veterans, so we should be able to play with some maturity and some confidence.”
Flin Flon’s last game was a very physical 5-2 win over the Swan Valley Stampeders a week ago.
Flin Flon and Nipawin met twice in the exhibition. The Bombers beat the Hawks 5-3 in a rookie game in Nipawin to start the year, and then needed a shootout a week later at home to complete a 5-4 come-from-behind victory.
Hofley to start
Simon Hofley is expected to get the start in net tonight, and Connor Slip will serve as his back-up to begin the season.
Hofley played in 26 games for the Bombers last year, finishing with a goals-against average of 3.28 and a record of 11-13.
Two local products are expected to be in the lineup on opening day. Fans will recognize Evan Akkerman and Zach Garrett.
Akkerman dressed for 25 games last season, recording a goal and two assists, while Garrett saw action in five games.
“They played very well for us throughout camp,” said Reagan. “I thought the last exhibition game was one of their best. They both were very physical, they brought a lot of energy to the team and they were tough to play against.”
Festivities will get underway a little earlier than usual with player introductions at 7:20 pm and the puck drop to follow.
