Bombers Continue on Point Streak

By James Brohm

Sioux Lookout, ON – The Sioux Lookout Bombers have now secured at least one point in each of their first six games of the season. It was another high scoring affair with a total of 10 goals between the Bombers and Islanders.

As with many games of late, one of the keys to success for the Bombers seemed to be getting a jump on the opposition and scoring early, and often. This time Tait Howell lead the charge with a goal just 26 second into the first period. At 2:18, the line that seems to be unstoppable this year added another goal for the Bombers. Blake Burke on the doorstep caught an Owen Riffel wraparound attempt (or centring pass) and tapped it home for an early 2-0 lead. The Bombers added another on the powerplay at 12:49. Dayvan Bull sifted a backhand toward the net from blue line, Owen Riffel grabbed the puck right out in front and sent it to the back of the net behind Kenora goaltender, Matthew Stephens for his 10th of the season. Kenora would get one back before the end of the frame. Offsetting minor penalties to Blake Burke of the Bombers and Braden Swampy for the Islanders opened up the ice for some four-on-four hockey. Keanu Woodhouse picked up a loose puck behind the Bombers’ net and wrapped it to get his team on the board.

The Bombers hit the ground running in the second period. Jonah Smith picked up his fourth goal of the season less than 10 seconds in to give the home team a 4-1 lead. Kenora would cut the deficit in half at 1:46. A quick shot by on the rush by Aaron Bertschinger beat Sioux Lookout goalie Matthew Ofukany. Tait Howell scored his second unassisted goal of the game with a high-speed wraparound that he tucked behind Stephens. Tempers flared about halfway through the period. Bombers’ Christian Shields and Islanders’ Keanu Woodhouse squared off to fight. Both players’ nights would come to an end with both receiving five minute major penalties and a game misconducts. The Burke, Burke, Riffel line struck again late in the period. Blake Burke found a puck in the crease that had squeezed through the Kenora goaltender and made sure it crossed the line. The period came to a close with the Bombers up 6-2.

Taking a page out of the Bombers’ playbook, Kenora Islander Tristan Bear made quick work on the powerplay to start the third period. Just 25 seconds in to the man-advantage and 1:12 into the period, his point shot found its way to the back of the Bombers’ net. Nolan Palmer scored his second of the season at 5:44 to bring the score to 7-3 for the Bombers and that’s the score that would stand off the remainder of the game.

Both teams had trouble staying out of the box with the Bombers and the Islanders racking up 13 infractions and 10 infractions, respectively for a grand total of 56 minutes in penalties. Matthew Ofukany picked up his second win of the season wit a SV% of .875. Kenora’s Matthew Stephans despite being on the losing side of the game sheet had a similarly respectable SV% of .870. The game’s three stars were all from Sioux Lookout. Kaden Veller was the third star, Nolan palmer was second and Tait Howell was recognized as the first star for his two-goal performance.

The Sioux Lookout Bombers will host the Fort Frances Lakers next weekend. The Islanders take a trip to Dryden to face the Ice Dogs next weekend as well.