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 2005/06 version of the Bombers are showing promise while owning an 0-5 record. Heading into the Saskatoon Showcase, the main problem the team had was with scoring and until acquiring Zane Kalemba, shaky goaltending. During the Saskatoon Showcase, the Bombers faced Yorkton, Notre Dame and Humboldt. Against Yorkton the offensive ammo was still sputtering though the Bombers gave a strong third period effort for an attempted comeback. They took the confidence from that loss into their game against the Notre Dame Hounds and lost by a single goal. It didn't help that a goal was disallowed. Bomber coach Ryan Hoffman was disappointed his team didn't earn a W. He was impressed with the play of his team as they matched up well against the Hounds which he says play a sound, technical game. The Hounds also lead the Sherwood Conference with a 5-0-1 record with Yorkton right behind with a 4-2 record. In their final game against Humboldt, the team came out flat in the first period, but Tyler Beachell scored his fourth goal of the season with two seconds remaining in a non-entertaining period. Desperation came out in the third period of that game for the Bombers as they made sure the Broncos had to work for the victory. The Bombers are proving that they can compete with any team in the league, but they need consistency. One area that doesn't appear to be a concern anymore is in net. Bringing in Zane Kalemba, who from Saddlebrook, New Jersey, should silence disbelievers. Kalemba is a quick goalie who loves to handle to puck and help out his defenseman. The most important characteristic the 19-year-old has is mental toughness. Kalemba doesn't lose confidence when he allows a goal he should save. He has the ability to remain confident and give his team a chance to win. Good goaltending is important to any team and its chances of winning, especially in the playoffs. The Bombers' offense also is waking up. Tyler Beachell, who led the team in scoring last year, is at the top with Clayton Geiger and Brett Needham, who all have four points. Beachell's points are all goals and Geiger has two goals with both coming on the powerplay. Needham is still looking for his first regular season goal while playing well and averaging nearly a point-a-game. Along with the top line, Geiger, Richard Dupre and Andrew Leslie form a unit that causes problems for opponents. Leslie and Dupre are spark plugs that don't stop and Dupre plays a similar style to Vancouver Canucks forward Matt Cooke. Dupre found the back of the net against the Broncos relieving some of the pressure to score. Not only does he expect it, but his coach does also. With the team heading back on the road this weekend for games against the Kindersley Klippers and Battlefords' North Stars, the Klippers would be the perfect victim for the Bombers first win. The question is, can the Bombers beat them?
