There is something about playing at the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt at this time of the year for the Flin Flon Bombers.
Flin Flon went into Humboldt last night and took game 5 of the SJHL Semi- Final 3 to 1 and have punched their ticket to the league final, for the fourth time in 7 years.
That is 8 straight playoff wins for the Bombers in Humboldt over the last 5 years, and they are 12 -2 head to head over that span.
Flin Flon was able to shake off a 4 to 1 loss at the Whitney Forum in game 4 that was played on Wednesday.
I got a good feeling when Jacob Vockler was able to re-direct a Reece Richmond shot from the point just 1:46 into the opening period to grab a quick 1-0 lead.
Ethan Mercer would make it 2 zip when he picked up a puck in his own end and raced down the ice, beating both Bronco d-men and firing a puck past Ben Motew low stick side early in the second.
With a 2-0 lead in the third you knew the Broncos were going to come hard and they did.
Their lone goal came from Xavier Roy, when he burst down the ice and was able to beat Harmon Laser Hume five hole to make it 2 to 1.
The Bombers were not going to be denied and restored the two goal lead just 20 seconds later. Alexi Sylvestre was able to feed Jacob Vockler a beautiful pass on a two on one and Vockler deposited his second of the night and fourth of the playoffs.
Flin Flon tightened up defensively and the Broncos would not be able to solve Laser Hume for the rest of the game and the Bombers hung on for the 3 to 1 win.
Harmon Laser Hume was fantastik once again in making 36 saves and no question was the series MVP. Ben Motew was solid once again in the loss making 28 saves on 31 shots.
Flin Flon clawed and scratched and no question there desire to win is one of the big factors in helping them get back to the league final. Mike Reagan has commented through out the playoffs on the great charcter of this team.
They have earned a date with one of the top teams in the country in the Battleford Stars who just swept Melfort. After losing game one in the Quarters to Weyburn the Stars have reeled off 8 straight wins.
This will meet in the playoffs for the fifth time since 2016 and this will also be their second meeting in the Finals. They also met in the Quarters last year and after Battleford won the first two, Flin Flon reeled off four straight wins.
The Bombers will enjoy a few days rest and may get a few more injured players back in time for the league finals.
The Championship Final is expected to start in Battleford next Friday and Saturday, April the 14th and 15th, and back in Flin Flon the 18th and 19th. No official confirmation yet, but I will post dates on this blog when finalized by the league.
