The Flin Flon Bombers were able to shake off Tuesday's loss to the Nipawin Hawks and took both games against the Estevan Bruins this past weekend by scores of 5 to 2 and 4 to 1.
It was anything but easy, as the Bruins who are still in the playoff hunt came in and battled the Bombers hard.
In Friday's game, Rydor Ringor did most of the damage as he had a four point game including his first ever Junior hat-trick. Ringor is now up to 24 goals on the season and has vaulted up to fourth in league scoring with 52 points.
Reid Arberry and Keefe Gruener rounded out the scoring for Flin Flon with the Bruins getting their goals from Luke Hogan and Kent Moors.
Estevan got great goaltending both games including 44 saves from Beck Boiteau who I was told played his best game of the year on Friday. Matthew Kieper was his usual steady self and stopped 27 of 29 for his 17th win of the year.
On Saturday the Bruins came out with lots of energy and were awarded the first goal, when Steven Streranka jammed home a loose puck in front of the Bomber net.
Estevan kept coming but couldn't convert on their chances and the Bombers made the most of theirs and scored the next four.
Leo Seitz took advantage of a nice deflection in front of the Estevan net and would tie up the game late in the first for his fourth of the year.
Flin Flon was off to the races as Carter Cormier scored his 18th on the powerplay, Reid Arberry his 8th and Keefe Guener his league leading 28th.
Matthew Kieper was back between the pipes and made 30 saves to collect win number 18. Another splendid goaltending display by Estevan with Zach Shaugnessy making a number of highlight reel saves and gave the Bruins every chance to steal this game.
Goaltending is not the Bruins problem as both guys were lights out both nights. I thought Estevan played hard and competed both nights but just couldn't score that big goal when they needed to.
If they continue to play this way, they are going to be a tough out for a lot of teams down the stretch.
After the weekend the Bombers will improve to 31-10-3-1 and sit second overall with 66 points which is six behind the front running Melfort Mustangs. Melfort also has two games in hand.
Flin Flon continue to lead the third place Weyburn Red Wings by 8 points with the Wings having one game in hand.
Estevan will fall to 14-23-5-1 and remain 13 points behind Kindersley for the final playoff spot.
Next up for the Bombers will be the Notre Dame Hounds who come to town this weekend for a pair of games at the Whitney Forum on Friday and Saturday. You will be able to listen to Saturday's game on 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com.
