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Bombers eliminated from playoffs after Game 7 loss

4-1 loss to Stars sends Bombers home, ends careers for nine veterans
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Despite a magical three-game comeback to force a seventh game, there will be no playoff miracle this year for the Flin Flon Bombers.

After one of the most intense seven-game series in the Bombers’ 90-plus years of history, the team came up just short of glory in a decisive Game 7, losing to the Stars 4-1 and ending their bid at SJHL playoff glory.

The Stars took control of the game in the first period, with three quick goals from Brett Gammer, Seth Summers and Braydon Buziak. Macgregor Sinclair had an opportunity to make it a four goal lead with a penalty shot, but Bomber goalie Gabriel Waked stood tall. Battlefords led 3-0 after 20 minutes.

After a barren second period, Quintin Loon-Stewardson made it four goals for the Stars. Daylan Marchi broke the goose-egg for the Bombers with less than seven minutes to go in the game, but despite a late jump in momentum, the Bombers were unable to come any closer.

Stars goalie Joel Grzybowski earned the win with 39 saves, preventing what could have been both one of the most inconceivable comebacks and devastating collapses in SJHL playoff history. Despite winning the past three games for the Bombers, Waked could not make it a fourth straight win for Flin Flon, ending the game with 31 stops.

The game marks the end of eight Bombers’ junior careers. Forwards Ethan Daniels, Brandson Hein, Nate Hooper, Daylan Marchi and Caleb Moretz have played their last games as Bombers, along with defencemen Calvon Boots, Tyler Higgins and Isaac Jackson. Forward Cade Kowalski is slated to move on to the NCAA for next season.

The next round of the SJHL playoffs is now set in stone, as three of the four series went to seven games and finished up Tuesday night. The Yorkton Terriers finished off a colossal upset, beating the Nipawin Hawks 4-3 in their seventh game and knocking out the top team in the league. With the Hawks now out, the Stars will be the highest remaining seed and will play the lowest remaining team, the Terriers.

The rest of the setup hinges on the fate of the Estevan Bruins. The Bruins, the league's third-ranked team, are currently in overtime against the Humboldt Broncos with one goal left to decide who goes through. Whoever wins between the Bruins and Broncos will face the Melfort Mustangs. Estevan will have home-ice advantage if they continue, while Melfort will start a series against Humboldt at home.

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