After a 3-1 win over the Hawks at the Whitney Saturday, the young Bombers are just two points away from the playoffs.
A two point effort from both Austin Evans and Eric Pederson has put Flin Flon in a very good position, and I think there is a lot more pressure on Nipawin then there is on Flin Flon.
The Bombers made huge moves at the deadline to plan for the future, while the Hawks stayed pat. Flin Flon has two twenty year olds while Nipawin has seven and way more expectations.
As I stated on this blog before, I think everyone thought Flin Flon would fold up the tents after all the moves. The total opposite has happened, with the Bombers winning four of their last five games, and the the thing that impresses me the most is the way they have been able to rebound after losses of late.
We saw that with the way the Bombers bounced back after a tough loss in Estevan the beginning of the month, and again this past Saturday after a tough loss in Laronge.
Besides the two points separating the two clubs, their stats are very comparible.
Nipawin has scored 130 goals, while the Bombers have 126. Flin Flon has give up 157 while Nipawin has allowed 149.
A lot of people thought that Nipawin would run away with the division, but they have never been able to get on track and have the worst record in the division in their last ten at: 2-8.
They do lead the season series with the Bombers 3-2 and have won both games at the cage this year. Flin Flon has outscored the Hawks in the last three meetings 10-6, with the majority of the offense coming in a convincing 6-1 win for the Bombers January the 8th.
Flin Flon is also playing with lots of confidence right now, and there isn't a single player in the locker room who doesn't believe they will make the playoffs. Head Coach and GM Mike Reagan was on the CFAR Post Game Show after the win Saturday and reinterated how they have built the team for the next two seasons, but would love to see this young group get some experience in the playoffs this year.
If Flin Flon can shut down Balog and Kozan, they have a great oppurtunity to win this game. Kozan has 57 points, while Balog has 42 ,and have a combined 14 points against the Bombers in five meetings. The Hawks will only go as far as these two players will carry them.
Eric Pederson is the new offensive catalist for Flin Flon as he has scored five goals in Flin Flon's last five games and has moved to second in team scoring with 27 points, five behind team leader Austin Calladine.
Don't forget to join me for all the action in the sixth and final matchup between these two clubs with the Murray GM Coach's Show at 7:10 and play by play at 7:30.
The one and only Lorne Hill will be joining me for colour, so you know it is going to be fun.
I expect this to be the most intense and exciting matchup of the year, with plenty of momentum shifts and a strong physical affair. We saw what these two teams brought to the table in their playoff series last year, with memories still fresh on all the returning players minds.
Doug Johnson Head Coach and GM of the Hawks told me a lot of his players took the playoff loss to the Bombers personally, so you know they will be ready. These young Bombers are focussed and know what is at stake, so you know they will be too.
Enjoy the game!!!
