The Flin Flon Bombers return home after a couple of tough OT losses to the Humboldt Broncos in the SJHL Quarter Final series.
On Tuesday, Flin Flon erased a two goal lead and managed to tie the game at two in the third on goals from Landon Alexander and Cole Tanchuk.
It looked like the Bombers might end the game in regulation with all kinds of chances but couldn't solve Dazza Mitchell who ended up making a sensational 62 saves.
The game went to OT and Flin Flon had a couple of real good looks early but couldn't capitalize and both goalies stood tall so a second over time was needed.
Humboldt would get a powerplay early in the second OT when Rhett Ewen got called for interference. Even though the Bronco's didn't score with the extra attacker, they kept the pressure on and were rewarded when Zach Bansley was left alone in the slot and he beat Matthew Kieper with a nice low wrist shot to make the final 3 to 2.
A great crowd was on hand at the Elgar Peterson Arena and they were as loud and voistrous as I have heard in there in a long time.
Dazza Mitchell was the big story for the Broncos and he ended up making 62 saves for his first playoff win against the Bombers. Matthew Kieper suffered the loss and gave up 3 goals on 32 shots.
Specialty teams were also a big part of the story with Humboldt cashing in on 2 of their 4 opportunities while Flin Flon went 1 for 4.
The Bombers were hoping for a better result on Wednesday and still had a chance to get the split if they could pull out game 4.
Humboldt started well and got a real fluky goal from Tre Foquette, who shot a puck from the blue line that hit the boards behind the net and then bounced in off the back of Kieper's skate.
Ryder Ringor would get his team leading fourth of the playoffs when he tied the game on the powerplay just a few minutes later.
Humboldt then got their powerplay working and scored two of their own from Jacob Strizzi and Madox Amaral to put the Broncos ahead 3 to 1.
Once again the Bombers entered the third period down a pair of goals and for the second straight night mounted a third period come back.
Local product Ryder Mucha who had multiple chances in both games was able to bury a rebound on Dazza Mitchell and made the score 3 to 2. Just 33 seconds later Keefe Gruener blasted down the ice and beat Mitchell low glove side for his second of the series.
It looked like the Bombers would once again end the game in regulation but couldn't bury on many of their chances late in the game so once again extra time was needed.
With less than three minute remaining in the first over time, Kye Benoche was able to take advantage of a big rebound, and flipped the puck over Matthew Kieper's left shoulder for the game winner.
This was Benoche's team leading fourth of the series.
Both team's powerplays were solid with Flin Flon going 2 for 9 while Humboldt was 2 for 7.
Home ice has been the story with both teams able to win in their own buildings and now the series will come back to the Whitney Forum for game 5 on Saturday.
One big concern for the Bombers has got to be the amount of injuries piling up, as they lost Koen Senft in the second period last night. That means they have 7 regulars out of the lineup including Leighton Carruthers, Reid Arberry, Wyatt Stinton, Kylynn Olafson, Emerson Clark and Kyle Marsden.
Hopefully they can get some bodies back for Saturday as the Broncos will be bringing a lot of momentum into the Whitney Forum for game 5 , in particular their goaltender Dazza Mitchell who has stopped over 100 shots in the last two games.
Don't forget to catch all the action once again on 102.9 CFAR and flinflononline.com beginning with the Great North GM Coach's Show at 7:10.
