The Flin Flon Bombers will meet the Nipawin Hawks for the second time this week and 7th time this season, tonight at the Whitney Forum.
Flin Flon picked up the 3-2 win on Monday and starting goalie Brenden Newton was nothing short of spectacular making lots of key saves especially in the third period.
Newton picked up his 15th win of the season and has a gaa of 2.96 and save % of .911. You can't help but wonder if Newton was healthy all season, where the Bombers might be in the standings today.
After going 30 games without a loss in regulation, the Hawks have dropped two in a row and first place overall is certainly not guaranteed with Battleford just two points behind. Nipawin does have a game in hand.
Melfort still has a chance to catch Nipawin as well, as the Mustangs have moved to within 7 points of the Hawks for the Division lead and first overall. They still have to play two more times this season and Melfort has beaten them 6 out of 8 meetings this year.
Nipawin still has a lot to play for and this weekend's home and home with the Bombers could go a long way in the standings.
The Hawks lead the season series 4-2, but this is a different Bomber team, and I think will give Nipawin another good battle tonight. Flin Flon continues to play well in the second half of the season with only 5 regulation losses in 2018.
I think the pressure is on the Hawks as it looks like the Bombers are pretty poised to finish 9th as they remain 6 points behind Kindersley with only 8 games remaining. Flin Flon is more concerned just playing well down the stretch and want to make sure they stay ahead of Melville.
The Mills have been playing better and are only 4 points behind the Bombers with Flin Flon having two games in hand. They play each other one more time, next Wednesday.
We will not have tonight's broadcast from the Whitney Forum, but will have the re-match tomorrow from the Cage in Nipawin.
Once again we hit the air with the Great North GM Coach's Show at 7:10 and play by play at 7:30.
