Wednesday's Bomber game had it all - two hot goalies, an attempted moose leg theft and a big win for Flin Flon.
The Bombers took down the top team in SJHL, the Melfort Mustangs, with a 2-1 decision.
Flin Flon struck early in the first period, when a point shot by Isaac Jackson bounced off the post and Daylan Marchi potted the rebound.
After a scoreless second period, the Bombers increased the lead to two with Chrystopher Collin's thirteenth goal of the year. Despite the absence of forwards Jordan McCausland and Nick Shumlanski, Flin Flon kept the game close throughout.
Melfort clawed back late in the game, with much of the final ten minutes being spent in Flin Flon's defensive zone. Drew Warkentine tipped a shot in traffic past Bomber netminder Niklas Anderson midway through the period, cutting the Bomber lead in half.
Despite Melfort's momentum in the third period, Anderson and the Bomber defense stood tall, earning a tough win against the league's best team.
Fireworks erupted after the game, with a post-game corner scrum turning into a series of pushing matches and fights. After fighting with Bomber Ethan Daniels, Mustangs forward Loch Morrison attempted to whack the traditional Bomber moose leg with his stick. Fans and players took acception to the gesture. Mustang players lobbing insults from the bench at Bombers on the ice.
Morrison earned a fighting major, instigator penalty and a game misconduct for his actions. The moose leg remained on the ice for the Bombers' customary centre-ice salute.
Morrison's ill-conceived gesture also led to an on-ice confrontation between Bomber head coach and GM Mike Reagan and Mustangs coach Trevor Blevins. On-ice officials kept the peace in the end, restraining the two and separating the two teams.
Anderson turned in a stellar performance, making 33 saves for his second straight win. Melfort goalie Evan Plotnik made 28 saves.
Flin Flon is recovering well from an eight-game losing skid, winning each of their last two games. The Bombers still sit in third place in the Sherwood Division with 17 total points. The Mustangs are still tops in the league with 25 points, with Weyburn, Humboldt, Estevan and Battlefords all less than four points behind.
The Mustangs and Flin Flon will face off again Thursday in Melfort. The Bombers will then return home for a pair of home dates against Estevan and the Mustangs on Nov. 9 and Nov. 14.
