Bus issues and a delayed start did not phase the Flin Flon Bombers, as they pasted the La Ronge Ice Wolves 8-2 on Friday night at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
“It was a frustrating one,” said Ice Wolves Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson. “They potted a few quick ones and we kind of lost track of what we should be doing, and we gave them more goals.”
Jordan Mish and Stephon Perreault did the scoring for La Ronge. Daniel Davidson got the start in the La Ronge net, but he was replaced by Jordan Frey after surrendering five goals. The Ice Wolves were outshot 61-30.
Brandson Hein scored three times for Flin Flon, while Nate Hooper, Caleb Moretz, Dawson McKenzie, Vincent Nardone and Donavan Houle added singles. Hooper had the most productive night for the Bombers offensively, as he finished the evening with five points. Jacob Delorme made 28 saves for the victory.
With the loss, the Ice Wolves slipped to 7-26-1-0 on the season, which has them in last place and nine points back of Melville for the final playoff spot in the SJHL.
The Ice Wolves won’t have a lot of time to lick their wounds. La Ronge is back in action on Saturday night in Nipawin when they meet the Hawks for just the second time this season.
“We just need to snap our heads and get to work,” said Ice Wolves Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson. “It’s gotta take everyone and it’s gonna take 60 minutes. That’s the only way we’ve been successful this year and we just have to have that consistently.”
You can catch Saturday’s game live on MBC Network Radio. The pre-game show gets underway at 7:15 p.m. with Braden Malsbury. Following Saturday’s matchup, the Ice Wolves will depart for the holidays.
La Ronge’s first game after the Christmas break is on Dec. 31 when the Flin Flon Bombers come to the Mel for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.
(PHOTO: A game earlier this season between La Ronge and Flin Flon. Photo by David Smith.)