What started out as a best of 7 for the league Championship is now a best of 5, after the Bombers and Mustangs split the opening two games at the Palace in Melfort this past weekend.
Flin Flon stormed out to a 6-0 lead in the opener on Friday and ended up winning 6-3 on the strength of a Joel Kocur hattrick. He ended up with 4 points in the game as the Bombers were able to chase starter Evan Plotnick after the 6th goal.
Melfort were able to mount a third period come back in which they scored three goals and gave themselves some much needed confidence for game two.
The third period come back seemed to inspire the Mustangs on Saturday as they came flying out of the gate and built up a 4-1 lead after one period. This time it was the Bombers who made a goaltending change as Zac Robidoux was chased after the third Mustang goal.
Robidoux gave up 3 goals on 9 shots before giving way to Brenden Newton who allowed 4 goals on 24 shots. The Bombers fought back all night long and had plenty of good opportunities but ended up losing game two 7-4. Joel Kocur had another good night, collecting two more goals and an assist to give him 7 points in the opening two games.
The Minions line of Mayan, Boyer and Frei combined for 5 points to help the Mustangs win game two.
The series shifts back to the Whitney Forum for games three and four, tonight and tomorrow and should be an electric atmosphere as Flin Flon will host a game in the league final for the first time in 23 years.
At last word over 1,300 tickets had ben sold for tonight and tomorrow and you need to get to the Bomber office by 4 PM today to make sure you can get a ticket for tonight's game.
There has been a lot of talk about the no.1 line for both these teams and they are not disappointing, as they occupy 6 out of the top 10 scorers in this years playoffs.
Mayan and Frei lead the way with 18 points followed by Boyer and Smith who have 17 . Switzer has 15 points, while the red hot Joel Kocur has 14.
There has been some good secondary scoring too including some big goals for the Bombers from Wilson, Shumlanski and Reitmeier and a great playoff run from second year defenseman Curtis Roach.
Melfort got some big goals in game two from Matt Goudy who didn't even play in game 1 and the eventual game winner from Rylan Freed, who picked a great time to get his first of the playoffs.
A couple of big questions for tonight is who will be the next to step up for their team? That is one of the best things I like about the playoffs, it's the guy who you never expect who ends up doing something great, like scoring a thrilling overtime goal, blocking a big shot, making that unbelievable save or throwing a nice body check. It will also be interesting to see who Mike Reagan starts in goal, as he will keeping us in suspense until game time tonight.
I can hardly wait to see that next great moment which will unfold before our eyes tonight at the one and only Whitney Forum. Don't forget to bring your radios and listen in to all the action on 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com starting with the Murray GM Coach's Show at 7:15.
