They played their hearts out but unfortunately the Flin Flon Bombers season came to an end last night, dropping a 4 to 1 decision to the Melfort Mustangs.
The Mustangs win the series 4 games to 2 and win their first championship since 2016. Ironically it was the Bombers they beat that season too, in six games.
You have to give Flin Flon credit who rallied from three games down to win the last two and make it a series. There was a lot of optimism from the players, organization and fans that they would be able to get the win and get it back to Flin Flon for game 7.
The night started well and the Bombers had a good first period out shooting the Mustangs 9 to 6 with the better of the scoring opportunities.
A Keefe Gruener break away for Flin Flon was one of the opportunities they didn't capitalize on.
It was scoreless heading into the second period when the Mustangs Tye Evans was able to pluck a puck in off the cross bar. I watched the replay and it never looked like the puck crossed the line, but the referee and goal judge both signalled the goal.
Flin Flon was able to shake that off and tied the game when Captain Justin Lies buried a shot top shelf on James Venne for his 14th of the post season. This was a powerplay goal and it really seemed to fire up the Bomber bench.
The Bombers couldn't sustain the momentum and the Mustangs retook the lead a minute later when Aidyn Hutchinson got a rebound past Harmon Laser Hume. This would stand up as the game winner.
James Venne shut the door the rest of the way and the Mustangs got insurance goals from Clay Sleeva and another one from Aidyn Hutchinson into the empty net.
Final shots were 30 a piece.
This is a very disappointing end to the season for the Bombers who looked like they were going to end their 30 year drought between championships.
You have to hand it to the Mustangs who battled injuries all year and didn't have 5 of their 20 year olds in uniform last night including Zac Somers and Ryan Duguay. You almost get the sense that maybe they were a team of destiny.
It was still a great year for the Bombers who were ranked number one in the country for most of the season and matched their record for wins in a season with 44.
I also would like to thank Head Coach and GM Mike Reagan for another exciting and entertaining year of hockey. There is no one in the league that works harder than he does and cares about his players and organization more. No one is taking this loss harder than he is.
I also want to wish all the graduating 20 year old's the best of luck moving forward including Tyson Smith, Riley Niven, Matt Egan, Jacob Vockler, Anthony Bax, Noah Houle, Adam McNutt, Harmon Laser Hume and home town captain Justin Lies.
A big thanks to all the board members, volunteers, sponsors, billets and of course the greatest fans who always make every hockey season enjoyable.
Congratulations to the Melfort Mustangs on winning the Canterra Seeds Cup and good luck representing the SJHL at the Centennial Cup in Oakville Ontario.
