A late comeback, overtime, ups and downs - Friday's Bomber game against La Ronge had everything Bomber fans could hope for, except for a win.
Flin Flon came up just short despite two comebacks and two goals in the final minute of regulation, losing a 6-5 heartbreaker to their rivals in OT.
The game started inauspiciously for the Bombers, who made a pair of roster changes for the game. Defenceman Jack Craycroft was traded to the NOJHL's Powassan Voodoos Friday, while goalie Kyle Jessiman did not travel with the team. In Jessiman's place was Flin Flon goalie Rylan Potkonjak - the 17-year-old netminder and midget affiliated player was the Bombers' backup.
Flin Flon drew first blood halfway through period one, with Dane Hirst scoring his fifth of the season and second as a Bomber. From there, the rest of the period was all Ice Wolves. Rowan Barnes, Jake Chartier and Spencer Kennedy each scored for La Ronge late in the first, giving La Ronge a 3-1 lead.
Billy Klymchuk got the Bombers within one in the second, but the Bombers still trailed with 20 minutes to go. Cole Rafuse tied the game early in the third period, but Aaron Greyeyes beat Delorme to give La Ronge the lead once again. With Delorme pulled, La Ronge's Grant Longtin scored an empty-netter, giving the Ice Wolves a 5-3 lead.
While being down two goals with two minutes to go might send fans to the exits early, the Bombers didn't quit. Less than a minute later, Easton Haygarth got the Bombers within one. Then, with only 40 seconds left, Haygarth scored again to tie the game and send it to OT.
The comeback would end with one Bomber point, but not two. Daylon Mannon put the kibosh on the Flin Flon comeback with an unassisted goal in 3-on-3 overtime, giving La Ronge their first win against the Bombers of the season. The Ice Wolves haven't won a game against the Bombers since March 2, when the game went to a 4-3 shootout.
Delorme made 42 saves through 60 minutes plus, while La Ronge goalie Liam McGarva made just one more than Delorme.
The Bombers' comeback cushions the team's Sherwood Division lead, giving them 44 points on the season. Melfort, who won 3-0 Friday night against Humboldt, moved up to 41 points. Both teams stay in place in the league standings - second and third respectively.
Flin Flon is catching up first place Battlefords - the once insurmountable North Stars are now on a three-game losing streak and have 54 points, 10 ahead of the Bombers for top spot in the league.
The Bombers will be back in action at home Saturday against the Nipawin Hawks. The game will include the team's annual Teddy Bear Toss - after the team's first goal of the night, fans will have the chance to chuck stuffed animals from the stands onto the ice for the Salvation Army and Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre Christmas gift program.
