The Flin Flon Bombers are now just two wins away from picking up their first league Championship in 23 years after a 4-2 win against Melfort in game 3 of the Canalta Cup Final last night.
A very energetic and loud crowd watched a very determined Bomber team come and play their hearts out and show everyone in attendance how bad they want this.
The big story to me is the game within the game, whether it was St.Onge blocking shots, Smith winning big face offs or great work along the boards by Wilson and Foyle, this team is a pure pleasure to watch every night.
There are lots of things that don't show up in score sheets, but like Mike Reagan pointed out last night on the CFAR Post Game Show, blocking a shot is just as good as a goal. This is a team that is willing to battle and do all the little things it takes to win a game and a Championship.
Melfort opened the scoring when SJHL scoring champion Travis Mayan got control of the puck on a faceoff in the Bomber zone, and was able to move in and flip a back hand past Brenden Newton who got his first start of the league final.
The Bombers answered on the powerplay when Kocur stormed the Mustang zone and centered a perfect pass to Alex Smith who jumped up in the slot and buried his 5th of the playoffs.
It was 1-1 after 1, and Rylee Zimmer was the only one to score in the second when he picked up a Mustang turn over at center ice and raced down the ice firing a pefect wrist shot past Evan Plotnick to give the Bombers a 2-1 lead after 2.
Reitmeier who continues to be an unsung hero night after night turned another Mustang turn over into a short handed goal, when he grabbed a loose puck at the side of the Mustang goal and shovelled it between Plotnick's legs to make it 3-1. This would stand up as the game winner.
Brandon Switzer would score an insurance goal on the powerplay firing a booming slapshot in the top corner to send the 1800 plus at the Whitney into a frenzy and put Flin Flon up 4-1
Melfort wasn't done yet, with a 5 on 3 and the goalie pulled the Stangs got to within two when Mayan got his second of the night and 11th of the playoffs , getting a rebound off the back boards to give the Stangs some life.
The Bombers would win some key faceoffs and were able to hold Melfort off and took game three 4-2 and hold home ice advantage. Final shots were 46-36 in favour of Flin Flon.
Specialty teams were a big part of the game with the Bombers scoring two power play goals and adding a short handed goal, but I was really impressed with how Flin Flon dominated five on five. The exploded out of the gate and generated some great chances early but were denied on some great saves by Plotnick.
Richard Palmer, Melfort's starting goalie the past couple of seasons has yet to start in this post season did back up last night and you have to wonder if he will make his first start of the playoffs tonight. It could be a tough decision for Melfort bench boss Trevor Blevins with Plotnick playing so well.
We will find out tonight as the Whitney Forum will be the sight for game 4 of this Canalta Cup Final. Don't forget to pick up your tickets at the Bomber office which is open at the Flin Flon Community Hall til 4 PM today.
Bring your radios and tell your friends out of town to listen to 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com. Murray GM Coach's Show starts at 7:15.
