It is time to stop talking and let the teams battle it out on the ice as the SJHL playoffs will begin on all 4 fronts tonight including the Bombers and Bruins.

 

It is the rematch of last Spring's exciting league final series in which the Bruins beat the Bombers 4 games to 3 to claim their first league title since 1999.

 

This time the Bombers are the favorite as they finished third overall at 37-15-2-2 good for 78 points and the top team in the Sherwood Division and will have home ice advantage.

 

Estevan finished sixth overall at 28-23-3-2 and claimed the Viterra Division with 58 points.

 

Flin Flon took 3 out of the 4 regular season meetings including both at the Whitney Forum back in January and a wild 7 to 6 win in Estevan in OT  on February the 11th.

 

The Bombers head into the post season 6-3-1 in their last 10 and what makes that even more impressive,  is that they have been winning games without 7 of their regular players in  the line-up.

 

Some good news, Flin Flon is expecting both Jacob Vockler and Jaeden Mercier back tonight. That still leaves Cole Duperreault, Zach Cain, Matt Egan and Jeremi Treblay all still out.

 

Head Coach and GM, Mike Reagan says there is a possibillity that we could see more guys back as this series moves ahead.

 

The Bruins limped into the playoffs at 4-4-2 in their last 10 but only need to win one game at the Whitney to take away home ice advantage,  and we all know anything can happen in the playoffs.

 

Despite their injuries the Bombers still had 5 of their players finish in the top 20 in league scoring while the Bruins only had one in Kade Runke who finished 14th overall with 54 points.

 

Cole Duperreault who missed the Bombers last 9 games still led his team in scoring with 64 points in 44 games and finished sixth overall and was nominated for the RBC Player Of The Year.

 

Duperreault also picked up a scholarship to Lindenwood University. He will join team mate Jaeden Mercier who is also heading there next season and former Bomber Drew Kuzma who is playing there right now.

 

It will be interesting to see how these teams go at each other after their very emotional league final which seems like it just wrapped up yesterday. Both these teams are a lot different with some very good players moving on with their lives and hockey careers.

 

One thing that both clubs are talking about is the atmosphere at the Whitney Forum,  in which it felt like the roof might actually come off the place every time the Bombers scored or did something special in last year's playoffs.

 

I know the Bombers are hoping for electric crowds in this series and if they can make things difficult for the Bruins, it could go a long way for this under manned team.

 

No matter what go's down, make sure you join us for every single Flin Flon Bomber playoff game including both from the Whitney this weekend.

 

Once again you can join us for the Great North GM Coach's Show at 7:10 and drop of the puck at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow.

 

Here is the complete  schedule for this opening series.

 

Friday, March 17th: Estevan @ Flin Flon / 7:30 PM (MB Time)

Saturday, March 18th: Estevan @ Flin Flon / 7:30 PM (MB Time)

Tuesday, March 21st: Flin Flon @ Estevan / 7:00 PM (SK Time)

Wednesday, March 22nd: Flin Flon @ Estevan / 7:00 PM (SK Time)

*Friday, March 24th: Estevan @ Flin Flon / 7:30 PM (MB Time)

*Sunday, March 26th: Flin Flon @ Estevan / 7:00 PM (SK Time)

*Tuesday, March 28th: Estevan @ Flin Flon / 7:30 PM (MB Time)