The La Ronge Ice Wolves were searching for their first win of the season at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon Friday, but it was the Bombers skating away with a 3-1 victory.
“I think we had a pretty good first period, they pushed back in the second, obviously it’s hard for us here in Flin Flon with the change,” said Ice Wolves Interim Head Coach Gaelan Patterson. “Second period, they turned the tide. In the third, we had a good period again and won that period.”
The Ice Wolves came out of the gates hot, outshooting the Bombers 4-0 in the opening stages of the game. Flin Flon would get on the board first though when Daylan Marchi picked up a big rebound and beat Jordan Frey for his 21st of the season.
The Bombers took a 2-0 lead 12:31 into the second frame when Donavan Houle found his own rebound and stuffed it past Frey, who ended the game with 55 saves in a losing cause. Flin Flon took a 3-0 advantage 15:09 into the period when Houle tipped home his second of the evening and 18th of the season on the power play.
The Ice Wolves had some good opportunities in the third and were finally rewarded for their efforts 9:32 into the stanza when Grant Longtin stuffed home his second of the campaign. Boston Maxwell fired a shot on net and Longtin was able to poke it past Gabriel Waked, who made 28 saves for the victory.
With the loss, the Ice Wolves slipped to 11-44-1-1 on the season. La Ronge will conclude its campaign on Saturday at home versus the Bombers. Saturday’s tilt gets underway at 7:30 p.m. from the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the SJHL announced that La Ronge Ice Wolves defenceman Antonio Di Paolo took home the RBC Community Award.
“Definitely a big surprise for sure and a huge honour to win something like that,” said Di Paolo. “I think we get kind of acknowledged for our play on the ice a lot and that’s kind of how we are thought of — maybe as one-dimensional, so to get honoured for something off the ice, it’s pretty special.”
In 52 games this season, the Saskatoon, SK product has 39 points.
(PHOTO: The Ice Wolves made their final trip of the season Friday to Flin Flon. Photo by Braden Malsbury.)