Bomber Cage First Place Ice Dogs

By James Brohm

Sioux Lookout, ON – The second installment of the Battle of Highway 72 did not disappoint. It was the first game of a home and home featuring the top two teams in the league.

An early penalty to Dryden’s Harrison James for interference gave the Bombers a powerplay less than two minutes into the game. They scored just 3 seconds into the man-advantage. Conner Burke won the faceoff right onto the stick of Owen Riffel who fired a rocket right past Michael O’Sullivan for the game’s first goal at 1:26. Despite doubling up on shots, the Ice Dogs could not beat Bombers’ netminder Jack Osmond. The Ice Dogs took two more minor penalties in the frame and the Bombers would take a single minor penalty as well.

The Bombers started off strong once again in the second period, putting good pressure on the Ice Dogs and hemming them in their zone for the first minute. Jonah Smith was rewarded for his hard work at 0:58 of the period. The rookie lifted a quick shot from the bottom of the right faceoff circle over the shoulder of Sullivan to put the Bombers up 2-0. Ice Dogs’ captain would get his team on the board at 14:24. Geoff Bjarnason’s point shot on an Ice Dogs powerplay found its way through to cut the lead in half. Mitchell Daines, who was back in the lineup for the first time since the last time these teams met on October 4th, picked up his first of the season. A rebound off a Kaden Veller shot was tapped by Ty Lone to Daines in behind the Ice Dogs’ goalie who buried it to restore the Bombers’ two-goal lead. Shots were even in the period with 14 for each team.

Both teams kept the physical play up into the third period. The Bombers, despite being the smaller team by an average of almost 30 pounds, finished their checks had no trouble matching the signature physical style of play of the Ice Dogs. Down 3-1, Dryden got an opportunity to get back in the game on a 5 on 3 powerplay, but a combination of blocked shots and outstanding goaltending kept the visiting team at bay. The successful penalty kill seemed to bolster the Bombers’ confidence down the stretch. Owen Riffle picked the pocket of Bjarnason in the neutral zone and gave himself a clear breakaway. He made no mistake, notching his 13th of the season to put the Bombers up 4-1 with 7:26 left in regulation. Cedric Robidoux capped off the night for the Bombers with his first Junior A goal at 17:29. It was a beautiful feed from Ty Lone on the rush that he tapped into a yawning cage behind Sullivan. Although the game was essential won, for a bit of excitement to end the game, Mitchell Daines was slashed from behind on a clear breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. The 516 fans who packed the Hanger collectively held their breath as Daines pick up the puck at centre ice, but the attempt was denied but Sullivan. The Bombers picked up the 5-1 win.

Michael Sullivan stopped 29 of 34 shots for the Ice Dogs and Jack Osmond only let in one goal on 39 shots. The Ice Dogs racked up 16 PIMs compared to 10 for the Bombers on the night. The three stars were given to Owen Riffel (3rd) for his two-goal night, Ty Lone (2nd) who had two helpers and Jack Osmond (1st) who’s solid play through 60 minutes secured the win for the Bombers. The all-important 2 points went to the Bombers, bringing them to one point behind the Ice Dogs for the league’s top spot.  Game two of the weekend series is set for tomorrow night in Dryden.