One night after dropping a 6-3 decision in game 1of the best of 7 SJHL Quarter Final Series, the Flin Flon Bombers showed tremendous heart in picking up their biggest win of the season knocking off Notre Dame 6-5 in OT.

 

The Hounds looked poised to go up 2 games to none , quickly building up a 3-0 lead in the first period.

 

Notre Dame struck quickly when Anderson picked up his third of the series just 1:34 into the game. Williamson added to their lead tipping a puck through Adam Beukeboom's legs at the 8:36 mark chasing Beukeboom from the game.

 

Mike Reagan knew he needed to do something quickly and elected to go to 19 year old Simon Hofley who faced Notre Dame 4 times in the regular season. Hofley got beat on a 5 on 3 goal, when Martin was left alone at the side of the Bomber net, to put the Hounds up 3-0.

 

Flin Flon would settle down and scored a big powerplay goal , when Austin Evans roofed a shot over top of Alexi Thibaudeau to get the Bombers on the board with less than 3 minutes remaining in the first period. This may have been the turning point of the game.

 

The Bombers got another big powerplay goal early in the second when Chris Rauckman picked up his second of the series just 3 minutes in. You could feel the momentum starting to switch in Flin Flon's favour and feel the energy from their bench.

 

Donovan would restore the 2 goal lead for Notre Dame, but the Bombers kept coming back and tied the game at 4 after 2 on goals from Allison and Evans- Campbell.

 

Dean Allison wasn't done, as he picked up his second of the game, when he shovelled a puck underneath Thibadeau to give the Bombers the lead for the first time in the game at 5-4. This would hold up til the 17:51 mark of the third, when the Hounds would tie it on SJHL Defenseman of the year Spencer Trapp's first of the series.

 

The Bombers could not clear the puck out of their own end and got caught deep allowing Trapp to capitalize.

 

Even though Notre Dame tied it up late, you still had the sense that this was going to be the Bombers night. Dangerous Dan Reagan who provided colour for our two radio broadcasts this past weekend called Brandon Switzer's number to get the overtime winner. Switzer did not get the OT winner, but he was the table setter, centering  a beautiful pass to Joel Kocur who tucked it underneath Thibadeau to send the Bombers to the thrilling victory just 1:36 into the extra frame.

 

What a night for Simon Hofley who came in for possibly the biggest win of his career stopping 23 out of 25 shots fired in his direction and had great composure and poise for coming in  off the bench. Matter of fact that was as calm as I have ever seen Hofley play who put in one tremendous effort to get his team back in the series.

 

Tyson Empey who missed game 1 because of the flew, was great picking up 3 assists and was a tremendous force on the penalty kill. Mike Reagan was all smiles on the 102.9 CFAR Post Game Show, and complimented his entire team on their big comeback victory. " Even though we were down 3-0 ,  I knew we could win this game. I am ver proud of our guys, I love the way we played tonight , there were a couple bad goals early, Beuks wasn't on tonight , a couple got through him and that's why we wanted to make sure we had 2 goalies that could play. Simon came in and did the job, tonight was his night."

 

So with the victory in game 2 , Flin Flon has taken away home ice advantage and will host games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Whitney Forum. Both games and all Bomber playof games will be broadcast on 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com.

 

Remember there will be no advanced playoff tickets sold and all can be purchased at the door.