For the 6th time since 2016 the Flin Flon Bombers will meet the Battleford Stars in the SJHL Play Offs.
They met in last spring's league final where the Stars swept the Bombers four straight for their second title in the last 4 years.
This year the Bombers may be the favorites and will have home ice advantage after finishing first overall.
Both teams swept their first round opponent with the Bombers dismantling of Kindersley and the Stars were terrific defensively against Melville allowing just 7 goals in the four games.
Flin Flon took 3 of 4 head to head meetings in the regular season but we all know the playoffs is a totally different season.
This might not be as deep a team for the Stars who won it all last year and made it to the National final, but it is still a very talented team featuring one of the top players in the country.
What can you say about Kian Bell who just took home his second straight league MVP trophy.
Bell has taken over right where he left off in the regular season with 10 points in 4 playoff games including 5 goals and in my opinion is a modern day Wayne Gretzky.
Flin Flon is going to have to be able to do something no one else has been able to figure out the last two years and that is stop Bell.
The Stars have other players that can score too, including Ben Portner and a couple of other hold overs from last year's championship team in Bradley Blake and Tanner Gold.
Throw in stud defenseman Alex Izyk and this is a very dangerous team.
One thing that may be in the Bombers favour is they may have more balanced scoring with the likes of Justin Lies, Carter Anderson, Alexi Sylvestre, Noah Houle and Jacob Vockler all having a good opening series.
They have combined for 33 points so far this post season.
Another big factor will be goaltending with the SJHL Goalie Of The Year, Harmon Laser Hume who is dialled in with a .755 gaa and a .975 save %. Laser always shows up for the big games and will certainly be tested in this round.
Logan Cunningham has been great for Battleford and brings a 1.71 gaa and .940 save % into this series and did beat the Bombers in the regular season.
One thing for sure it will be fun and it will be loud with games one and two at the Whitney Forum tonight and tomorrow and back to the Battlefords for games three and four on Monday and Tuesday.
Don't forget to catch every single Flin Flon Bomber playoff game with Creighton Furniture Bomber Hockey set to go once again tonight with the Great North GM Coach's Show at 7:10.
