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.
For the first time in a long time, the Bombers come into a season with lofty expectations. Most of that comes from the coach. Despite an 0-3 start and almost having the need to do a fundraiser so they can score, the Bombers have been showing signs of a turnaround. I asked our panel for their thoughts on the team thus far. Here's what they had to say. Brent Lethbridge: There were expectations for the Bombers this season. Needless to say a lacklustre preseason and a slow start to the regular season have the Bomber faithful shaking their heads. But Doug Stokes is one of the best coaches at the junior A level and he will get this team turned around and it may have started on the road with Humboldt last week. Two victories in a row can get the competitive juices going and a couple more victories over the long weekend put the club at .500 which is still probably a little less than hoped for at this point. In order to be successful the Bombers need a power play that works at 20-25 per cent. That means the other nite against Melville they would have scored three goals on the powerplay instead of 0-15. The offence in general has to get it going. It has struggled. But the Yorkton game showed how the rest of the season could go. Good goaltending, some physical play, driving to the net. I think the Bomber have a good crop of rookies, but the vets have to show the way, find that edge they had at the end of last year. The Bombers have all the tools to compete at the top of the SJHL. Ultimately the players will decide how the rest of the season turns out. This weekend will be a good litmus test. Tanner Brough: I'm tired of all these other so called "Sports Experts" only writing a clip when they know the sport. It's not just NHL experts, or NFL Experts, come on guys. I'm calling out all the "at home" sports experts to write in and put your "brilliant" thoughts in print. I'm pretty excited about this years team. They look a lot better than most years, this early in the season. I mean four wins before Christmas! Wow. That hasn't happened here in years. Nichol looks to be pretty solid in net, (Mackenzie) Groenewegen and (Mike) Mckinna are doing a great job penalty killing. I'm jacked to see (Braden) Olszewski break out in a big way. (Pierre-Luc) Boucher handles the puck with such patience he looks to be a perfect setup man for anyone in passing distance. Myles Masse has impressed me the most, it looks as though he put on some weight this year, and even started knocking people down. I anticipate a top three finish in the North and hope to see this years Bombers make the Whitney Forum a feared place to play. Jason Mandes: I don't want to be Captain Obvious, but the Bombers have improved with every home game. The 8-0 home opening deafeat was discouraging. To be honest, I couldn't believe my eyes. The Mustangs easily handled the Bombers to start the season. Fortunately the home and home with Melfort was a wakeup call for the players because they've played better since. The Bombers could have easily beat La Ronge at home, but a couple costly mistakes in the second stole the game. Beating the Klippers 5-1 a few weeks back boosted their confidence. Again they lost another tough game against Melville. The Bombers power play couldn't solve the Melville goalie. It was good to see the Bombers give Yorkton a convincing defeat a few nights ago. Even though they're 2-3 at home, I still believe they'll fiinish in the middle of the pack in the North. Mike Nichol has played solid in goal. He gives them a chance to win every game. The Bombers penalty killing has been fairly strong to start the season. Once the power play finds its groove, they'll move up in the standings. I'm also a little baised because I'm a board member and I'm hoping to see lots of playoff revenue.
