Wings come up short in Flin Flon

It will go down as the weekend Dwight McMillan earned his 1000th victory but the Wings could not carryover their momentum from the prior night in La Ronge as they were doubled up by the Bombers 4-2. Barrett Penner opened up the scoring for Flin Flon at the 2:42 mark of the first period after re-directing a point shot by defenseman Harley Garrioch. Cole Wilson also assisted on the goal. The Wings would respond just 36 seconds into the second period as Luke Johnson picked up his 13th goal of the season from Josh Bray and Brayden Nargang. The Bombers would regain the lead just under six minutes later as Matt Dyck scored from Wilson and Penner. The goal was not without controversy as both play by play man Kevin Smith and other people at the game thought the whistle had blown before the puck entered the net. The Wings would run into some penalty trouble in the second period as Josh Bray received six mintues in penalties, including a double minor for spearing all on the same play. The Wings penalty killers were able to kill off the six minute Flin Flon power play and then Bray atoned for his penalties with his 25th goal of the season just minutes after stepping out of the penalty box to tie the game at 2. The Bombers would regain the lead however before the end of the period as Penner would pick up his second goal of the night from Garrioch and Tommy Castonguay. Despite some third period pressure the Wings could not get the equalizer has Dustyn Clegg scored the empty netter with 53 seconds to go the seal the deal for Flin Flon. AJ Whiffen (pictured above) was incredible despite the loss as he stopped 43 Flin Flon shots. Carsen Chubak got the win for Flin Flon as he made 21 saves on the evening. Smith described a save that Whiffen made in the third period as grand larceny and by far the save of the year. The Wings will return to action on Tuesday night when the Melville Millionaires come to town.

At this time I would like to just mention how classy both the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Flin Flon Bombers organizations are. Both organizations made presentations to coach McMillan in honor of his 1000th win and players from both teams shook hands with Dwight. Congratulations again to Dwight and a special thank you to both the Ice Wolves and Bombers for the class displayed. I should also mention that many fans from other teams are leaving congratulatory messages for Mac on the SJHL fan forum. Good on all of you.

Despite the loss tonight, the Red Wings maintain a seven point lead over the second place Kindersley Klippers as Kindersley was defeated 2-1 by the visiting Melfort Mustangs. Ryan Gareau got the winning goal for the Mustangs just over the halfway point of the second period. Clint Olson also scored for the Mustangs who got assists from Taylor Watt, Tommy Brown, Cam Oliphant and Kyle Fraser. Brett Leedahl scored the lone Klippers goal from Jeremy Beller and Scott Linnell short-handed in the second period. Ilia Ejov (pictured) had another fine outing for the Mustangs as he made 30 saves. Matt Weninger who appears to be moving into the starting role down the stretch in Kindersley made 27 saves.

In Yorkton, the Humboldt Broncos completed a good weekend in east central Saskatchewan as they downed the Yorkton Terriers 6-2. The Broncos broke the game open in the second period as they scored four goals to take a big lead into the third period. Josh Garneau (pictured) scored twice for the Broncos who got singles from Brady Wacker, Tanner Vandesype, Matthew Kirzinger and Jordan Schindel. Mitchell Peeke added three assists for the Broncos. Jordan Pawelec and Travis Coghill scored for the Terriers in the third but it was too little too late on this night. Backup goaltender Andrew Bodnarchuk got the start for the Broncos and had a solid outing as he made 31 saves. Joel Danyluk got the start for the Terriers and allowed 4 goals on 26 shots through two period. Lynden Sammartino came in for the third but the Terriers fared no better as he allowed two goals on only six shots.

Finally in Nipawin, the Melville Millionaires skated away with a 4-2 win over the host Hawks. Kirk Mastad, Jordan Wilson, Scott Hennings and Kale Dolinski (pictured) all scored for Melville. Bryant Dyke, Dolinski, Jordan Reeve and Levi Lind all added assists. Taylor Thiessen and Torrie Dyck replied for Nipawin. Dyck and Brent Ottmann added assists for the Hawks. Joe Rodwell picked up the win for the Mils while Derek Kleinsteuber suffered the loss.

Tonight's SJHL Three Stars:

1. Barrett Penner - Flin Flon Bombers (3 point night to lead Bombers to victory.
2. AJ Whiffen - Weyburn Red Wings (not very often I pick a losing goaltender but tonight it was a well earned star as if not for Whiffen it would have likely been a much worse result)
3. Mitchell Peeke - Humboldt Broncos (offensive explosion as Bronco rookie has a three point night)

- Brad M.