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Top notch specialty teams made the difference for the Flin Flon Bombers Tuesday night as they earned three power play goals and one short handed goal against the Melfort Mustangs. Playing their final game of the regular season, the Bombers earned a pat on the back as they got two more points Ð giving them a total of 78 for the regular season. The 2009-10 team is only the second in Bomber history to earn over 76 points in the regular season. Head coach and GM Mike Reagan, a former Bomber himself, says it's a good boost for the team. "We're happy about it," he said. "I mean, it's a nice feather in a cap for the boys." Though coming out with a win is important, Reagan says the most important thing is that his team is heading into the playoffs healthy. "...people have been critical of the way we have played here for the last little bit ...but the most important part to us is that we're going into the playoffs healthy. "Who cares about the two or three points here and there," said the coach. "We finished first place (in our conference)." With the points on the line not the most important thing, the Bombers showed up to play but also stay healthy. "I'm not going to sacrifice some of my guys' health for two or three points." The first period wasn't in the Bombers' favour as they were down 1-0 going into the first intermission. The Mustangs earned their lone goal of the game against Klynt Spencer late in the first period. The Bomber's specialty teams shone as they scored two power play goals and their short handed goal in the second. Deven Stillar made the first mark for the Bombers, with help from, Alex Lamontagne and Michael Young. A few minutes later, Andrew Johnston came forward with the team's second goal, with help from Brennan Cox and Mike Rey Ð breaking the tie to make it 2-1. The team's third goal came from Ryan Fox as he set the SJHL record with his fifth short handed goal of the season. Fox got help from Corey Tyrell on his big goal to make it 3-0 by the end of the second period. Bomber captain Young said it was Stillar's goal that got the ball rolling for the team. As of late, the Bombers' hadn't been doing so well on the power play. But "as soon as we scored the goal everyone was like 'oh, holy crap, we scored a goal on the power play,'" said Young. "Everyone got into the game and it was really good for us." Two more goals came in the third period Ð both from Rey Ð to make it 5-1. Rey's first goal came with help from Matty Lecours and Taylor Thiessen while his second Ð a power play goal Ð gave an assist to Thiessen and Young. An important win for the Bombers, Reagan gave credit to Spencer as well as the rest of the team. "For Klynt, I thought it was huge for him. It's been a long time since he's put together a performance like that," said Reagan. "He made the saves that he had to. It's unfortunate that the one goal that he did let in was deflected in, (which) was a bad mistake by our defensemen." Knowing that the team didn't have the best start, Young said they really picked up the pace for the rest of the game. See 'It' on pg. Continued from pg. "It was a really big win for us. It wasn't the greatest start, I guess, but I was glad we finished the game and finished on a win and we're going into the playoffs with a lot of momentum." Coach Reagan agreed with his captain. "I'm happy with the second and third period Ð I thought we came to play," he said. "But the first period was a little lackadaisical. "You could tell both teams just wanted to get the game over with and make sure we're healthy heading into the playoffs." Giving more credit to Spencer, Reagan says the goaltender stopped any momentum the Mustangs might have gained. "I thought he made a big save in the first period. I think that was big for his confidence. "To be honest, he hasn't had that save in the last little while. "...he's made that save and then all of a sudden he's going, 'ok I've made a big save,'" said Reagan, noting that he can build off that. "That big save stopped them from going up 2-0." Earning confidence himself, Reagan says Spencer put confidence in his team. With little pressure on the table against Spencer, he was able to play the game and have the start Reagan knew he had all along. "That pressure was gone because we were finishing first place Ð the game was kind of a nothing game. "Being able to start back to back is good for a kid," said the coach. The Bombers finished their regular season Tuesday night and are now waiting for the playoffs to begin. In the Bauer Conference, the Humboldt Broncos and the La Ronge Ice Wolves are fighting for fourth place as their series gets started tonight in La Ronge. The winner of that series will then taken on the Bombers Ð which is set to start March 5. The Battlefords North Stars and the Melfort Mustangs are also set for March 5. In the Sherwood Conference, the Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires are set for tonight. Waiting for the second round is first place team Weyburn Red Wings as well as the Notre Dame Hounds and the Kindersley Klippers.
