The Flin Flon Bombers had another tough third period on Saturday where they gave up three goals and ended up dropping an 8-4 decision to the Melfort Mustangs, their fourth loss in their last 5 games.
Once again it was a good first period where the Bombers jumped out 3-1 before the game was even ten minutes in. Marchi(19), Houle (14) and Hooper (23) provided the early offense.
Colin Schmidt scored late in the opening frame for the Stangs to cut the deficit to 3-2 after 1.
That goal would spark Melfort in the second as Schmidt would score two more to convert the natural hat-trick and give the Mustangs the 4-3 lead. Alex Rondeau added a late goal with just under 2 minutes to go as Melfort took a 5-3 lead to the locker room after 2.
That would be the eventual game winner.
The Colin Schmidt show continued in the third, scoring his fourth of the night just 1:59 into the period and this would chase Bomber starter Gabriel Waked from the net after surrendering 6 goals on 29 shots.
Caleb Moretz would make it a little closer, getting his 20th of the season to make it 6-4, but Melfort would get a couple of insurance goals late from King and Anderson en route to the 8-4 victory.
Specialty teams were a big part of the game with Flin Flon going 1 for 8 on the PP, and also giving up a pair of short handed goals. Melfort finished up 0 for 3 and final shots were 39-36 for the Mustangs.
It also looks like we will see some suspensions as Crystopher Collin and Kayle Tosh got involved in a huge melee late in the game where Collin received a major for fighting and an attempt to deliberately injure.
Tosh picked up a 5 minute major for slashing and a 5 minute major for fighting and I expect the league to review the game tape and make a decision later today.
This was a big win for the Mustangs who leap frogged the Bombers for second in the division and 6th overall. Flin Flon drops to 7th with a big 4 game in 5 night road trip coming up.
The Bombers who are vey banged up especially on the back end play in Humboldt Tuesday, Weyburn Wednesday and Estevan Friday, wrapping up with Notre Dame Saturday.
Calvon Boots, Tyler Higgins and Isaac Jackson are all out of the line-up and now it looks like the Bombers will also be missing Crystopher Collin for a few games as well.
The good news is that Flin Flon is only two points behind Humboldt and Battleford for fourth overall and if they can string some wins together, could find themselves back at the top of the standings.
We won't have the broadcasts from this trip as I continue to recover from a bronchial infection but hope to be back for Friday February the 22nd when the Bombers host Yorkton.
