Fresh off a 3-2 shootout win over the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday, the Flin Flon Bombers will welcome the Melville Millionares to the Whitney Forum tomorrow.
The Bombers were able to gain some extra confidence with their first win against the Mustangs in 5 tries this season. Simon Hofley was brilliant in making 52 saves and is playing as good as I have ever seen him.
Newcomer Brandon Switzer was able to score in his Bomber debut, scoring a powerplay goal early in the first period. Switzer came over for Eric Pedersen from Whitecourt of the AJHL, in a deal that was completed on Monday.
Mike Reagan was very busy on the trade front in picking up two more players from Alberta including Switzer's team mate 95 forward Joel Kocur who had 17 points in 22 games with Whitecourt this season. Kocur was dealt for 96 forward Lance Yaremchuk who only suited up for 1 game with the Bombers.
Flin Flon also added some depth in goal with the acquisition of 20 year old goaltender Adam Beukeboom from Grand Prairie of the AJHL. All three players are now in Flin Flon.
Melville has the best record in the Viterra Division at 10-9-0-1 and are making their first trip up north this season. The two teams split the 4 matchups last season.
The Mills were the talk of the league last year where SJHL Coach Of The Year Jamie Fiesel was able to take a young group to the league final, before bowing out in four games to arch rivals Yorkton.
Fiesel's teams are known to start slow, but are usually there when it counts later in the season. Offense may be a bit of a problem so far this year with 46 goals in 20 games. That has them ranked tenth overall, with only Estevan and Laronge scoring less.
Flin Flon continues to fill the net with 75 goals in 19 games, and continue to lead the league. The Mills are good keeping the puck out of their net, giving up 47, which is fourth best in the league. The Bombers have given up 56 and are ranked eighth.
Lane Harbor is the only Millionaire in the top 20 in league scoring with 16 points in 20 games. Flin Flon has 5 players including Chris Rauckman(26), Alex Smith (23), Dean Allison(19), Parker Evans- Campbell(19) and Austin Calladine (17).
Puck drop is 7:30, and don't forget their will be a special tribute for former Bomber goaltending great Ray Martyniuk before the start of the game. Ray will have his name added to the wall of fame and his family will be in attendance, so make sure to get there early.
102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com will have the broadcast beginning with the Murray GM Coach's Show starting at 7:15.
