Sports News

Offense Dries Up

 

 

After scoring 15 goals in the opening weekend, it was a little different story offensively for the Flin Flon Bombers as they could only muster 3 goals in back to back losses to the defending champion Nipawin Hawks.

 

 

Nipawin rolled into town and doubled the Bombers 4-2 on Friday night courtesy of 29 saves from Declan Hobbs who has been nothing short of outstanding so far this season.

 

 

The Hawks played a well executed road game and quickly jumped out 2-0 on goals from Erhardt and Sorensen in the first.

 

Flin Flon would tie it on a couple of beauties from Nardone and Moretz before Nikiforuk would score the eventual game winner with just over 3 minutes remaining in the second period.

 

 

Flaman scored a big insurance goal early in the third to seal the deal 4-2 for Nipawin.

 

Jacob Delorme got his first start of the year for the Bombers and fought his rebound control but I thought for the most part played pretty well, stopping 30 out of 34.

 

 

Talking to a number of Bomber players and Head Coach and GM Mike Reagan, they thought they didn't play very well and thought they would be a lot better on Saturday.

 

 

The Hawks would host the rematch at the Cage on Saturday and the Bombers caught a break when Nipawin started rookie goalie Patrick Pugliese and gave Declan Hobbs the night off.

 

Okotoks Alberta native Hunter Young would get his first start of the year for Flin Flon.

 

I thought the Bombers skated well and had a pretty good first period and got the game's first goal when Jessie Young re-directed a puck through Pugliese's legs with just 23 seconds left in the first.

 

This was the first time this season that Nipawin had trailed in a hockey game.

 

 

Nipawin picked it up in the second and tied the game at the midway point of the period  when Breton beat Young with a nice shot, low stick side. This was a powerplay goal.

 

The game stayed tied until Jaxsen Wiebe beat Young with a strange shot that bounced off Young's chest pad and dribbled between his legs for the eventual game winner. I felt bad for Young who I am sure would of liked that one back, and I thought was one of the Bomber better players on this night.

 

Flaman would cap the game with an empty netter with just 55 seconds left in the game.

 

Final shots were 32-25 in favour of Nipawin.

 

Hawks were 1 for 5 on the pp, while the Bombers were 0 for 5 and only have two powerplay goals in the first four games.

 

Flin Flon will drop to 2-2 on the season while Nipawin improves to 4-0 which may have a few people surprised, but not the Hawk players. I talked to a number of Nipawin players before Saturday's game and they see no reason why they can't repeat.

 

It is also nice to know that when you have Declan Hobbs between the pipes, you may only need to score 3 goals on any given night to win the game.

 

 

The Bombers did get some good news before the weekend as one of their top offensive players from last year in Crystopher Collin has rejoined the team and should be a force offensively. Collin suited up for both games and did not pick up a point,  but did have some good chances.

 

 

Flin Flon are in Warmen preparing for the SJHL Showcase and will suit up against Melville this afternoon, 2 PM, Manitoba time. They will also play Yorkton tomorrow night at 8PM, Manitoba time.

 

Next action at the Whitney Forum is this weekend against Melville, Friday and Saturday night.

 

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