The tone of a hockey game can be set in its very first shift.
“When you start a game you have the opportunity to set the pace for the night and get into the game early,” says Flin Flon Bombers defenceman Brandon Masson. “Having a good start is always important.”
To get things started right, the Bombers often send out Masson and defensive partner Mason Etter along with the line of Greyson Reitmeier, Adam Wilson, and Kristian St. Onge. All five are 19 and have at least two years of junior hockey experience.
Bombers head coach Mike Reagan praises the group for setting the tone for games.
“We have had good starts to hockey games, so we keep going back to the well,” Reagan says.
St. Onge enjoys starting games for the Bombers. He says it gets him into the game right away and gives him an opportunity to give and receive hits.
His line takes to the ice with a specific style in mind.
“For us it’s just keeping things simple and getting pucks in behind their defencemen and banging bodies,” St. Onge says. “We’re all fairly big boys and like to hit, so we try to intimidate and play physical right from the get-go.”
The trio definitely has chemistry.
“I think that all three of us play a similar style and can play off of each other well,” St. Onge says. “We’re responsible defensively and like to muck and grind in the offensive zone to create our chances and wear down D-men, and we’re all pretty good buddies off of the ice, which helps as well.”
St. Onge, Reitmeier and Wilson have already each topped their point totals from last season.
Reitmeier, who is from Nakusp, BC, is in his third junior season. Heading into Tuesday’s game, he was fifth on the Bombers with 10 goals and 21 points.
Reitmeier had 16 points last season with Melville and 12 as a rookie with Trail in the BC Hockey League.
Wilson, an Edmonton product, had nine points in 26 games this season. That’s two more points than he had in 39 games last year with Bonnyville of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
After posting five points last season with Flin Flon, Saskatoon’s St. Onge has more than tripled that output this season. He had 16 points, including seven goals.
“I can give a lot of credit to my linemates, Greyson and Adam,” St. Onge says when asked about his increased output. “They’re awesome to play with and create lots of opportunities that we can capitalize on. Also my confidence is up from last year. Getting more ice time and getting more opportunity always leads to more production.”
On the back end, Etter has also far exceeded his point total from last season. The Cedarburg, Wisconsin, product had four goals and 12 points after putting up two points – both of them goals – last year.
“Mason has got some good skill,” says Reagan, who praised his and Masson’s play. “He’s good at getting pucks in deep.”
An early-season knee injury kept Masson off the ice for most of October and November. It was a tough go for the competitive blueliner from Oak Lake, Manitoba.
“It was extremely difficult not being able to play and contribute to my team’s success,” Masson said. “After multiple doctor’s appointments, I lucked out with a cancellation and had surgery at the beginning of November. I was back in the gym almost immediately, and just three weeks after surgery I was back on the ice.”
Masson is quick to credit the support of his family and billets for helping him through that experience.
The Bombers have certainly been happy to have their 2014-15 Rookie of the Year back on the ice. In 14 games, Masson had a goal and an assist, and provided a physical presence as shown by his 72 penalty minutes.
The five regular Bombers starters have enjoyed their time in Flin Flon.
“The best part about playing for the Bombers is the pride and tradition in the community,” Masson says. “Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, along with many other NHL greats, wore the same logo on their chests that I do. It’s an honour to play for such a historic franchise.”
