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.
Getting their points for the night Friday were the Flin Flon Bombers as they took down the first place team in the SJHL standings in a 4-1 victory over the Humboldt Broncos. The Bombers took to the ice Friday night with confidence as they went on to face the fourth ranked junior team in Canada. SJHL Forward of the Week Pierre-Luc Boucher had his colours shine through with an assist on the first goal of the game giving the Bombers a 1-0 lead over the visiting Broncos. Calvin Bartel was back in between the pipes and he stopped 26 of his 27 shots on net. After playing only seven games as a Bomber, forward David Dykstra says he loves where he's at right now. "The guys are great and the team is unbelievable," says the Saskatoon native. "The coaching staff has been great so far," he adds and says "everyone I have met so far has been nice and encouraging." Dykstra says when he was a Klipper, things were a little different because they were on a losing skid when he left. "But there is a good teams atmosphere here," says the 18-year-old. Friday night's game started off with both teams chasing the puck back in forth before Bomber Reid MacLeod found the back of the net with the help of linemates Michael Young and Boucher. The first period was short lived with a score of 1-0 and 10 shots on goal for the home team while the Broncos had 9 shots on Bartel. The second period saw Barrett Penner score the second goal of the game, on a power play, with help from Dustyn Clegg and Brennan Cox. With the score now 2-0 after 6:01 in the second period the Bombers put their third goal of the night past Bronco goalie Taylor Nelson, giving them a comfortable lead. Dennis Kubat, assisted by MacLeod and Bartel, scored the third goal short-handed for the home team. The Broncos got on the scoreboard in the second period after 8:05 breaking Bartel's shutout with a score of 3-1 for the Bombers. The Maroon and White lit the lantern for the final time that night with a goal from MacLeod, scoring his 25 of the season with help from Harley Garrioch and Kubat. With a final score of 4-1 for the Bombers over the Humboldt Broncos, Bartel says it was "an intense game." Bartel, who was playing against many of the "boys from back home," says there were more nerves in this game than most other times they have played. "It wasn't pressure, but excitement," says the Drake, SK native. While the Bombers have an 11 game schedule for the month of November, Bartel says is isn't as bad as it sounds. "By the time November comes around your in shape so we're ready for the busy month," he says. Coach Mike Reagan says the win against the Broncos was huge for not only the team, but himself as well. "My first career win against Melfort is at the top of the list, but this is huge and up there," says Reagan. Taking on the top team in the league may sound scary to some, but Reagan says "we believed we're just as good or better (as them) and we were just looking for the opportunity to prove it." Earlier this season, the Humboldt Broncos beat the Bombers in their own barn, but the Maroon and White came back and took down the Broncos on their own turf. "It's tough to get wins on the road," says Reagan. "You play better at home," says Reagan as to why it's hard to get a win on the road. "And," he says "it's a six hour drive to Humboldt, so it's a long trip." And he says "you are geared up to play at home." During the game Reagan says he was comfortable with the way things were going. "The guys are just as good, if not better," he says. "There are ups and downs for every team." Assistant coach Clayton Quinn says he's happy with the game and the performance. "It's a good thing to have in your head that you just played the best team in the league." Reagan agreed with Quinn, adding "to win a championship, you have to be able to beat them (Humboldt), so it's a boost to have already beat them." With less than 30 games left in the regular season, Reagan says now it's "getting down to what the team is. "Each game is more important now and the intensity has picked up." With less than 30 games left in the regular season, talk of the play-offs has already begun, and Reagan says it's not a bad thing. "It's got to be the focus of the fellas... and they have to talk about the championship as a team," he says. Reagan says they have to talk about it because you have to believe to achieve. "If you believe you have a good shot at winning." Reagan adds, "we shouldn't just be happy to make the play offs, it should be a given to make the play-offs every year."
