Bombers Haunt the Lakers on Friday the 13th

By James Brohm

Sioux Lookout, ON – The Sioux Lookout Bombers took game one of the weekend with a convincing win over the Fort Frances Lakers. Showing no signs of slowing down and relying on the deadly the combination of fast offence and solid goaltending the Bombers are off to a great start to the season.

The game started off at a high pace with both teams trading early chances.  The Bombers killed off an early penalty taken by Cedrik Robidoux for slashing. The game’s first goal came at 5:54. Bombers’ assistant captain Alex Lucas redirected Bradley Thompson point shot. Rookie Jonah Smith also picked up an assist on the play, his first of the season. Netminders Jack Osmond for the Bombers and Lukas Toth for the Lakers treated fans to a bit of a goalie battle for the rest of the period.

The Lakers came out for the second renewed and carried the pace of play for the first couple minutes of the frame. However, the Bombers’ special teams would shine once again. An aggressive forecheck by Ty Lone forced a turnover in the offensive zone and he centered the puck right on to the stick of Owen Cotter who buried it for a short-handed goal at 7:57. The Bombers started to take control of the game after that and would launch 21 shots at the Lakers goal in the second period, compared to 14 directed at the Bombers net. The Bombers took a 2-0 lead into the break.

The Bombers continued to out play and outshoot the Lakers in the third period.  Owen Riffel intercepted a pass and took off on a breakaway to notch his SIJHL leading 11th goal of the season, unassisted. The Lakers got into some penalty trouble in the period and gave the Bombers a 5 on 3 opportunity. Bombers captain Nolan palmer got his third goal in as many games on the ensuing powerplay at 9:50. Sioux Lookout continued to press for the rest of the period, outshooting Fort Frances 22-9. Ty Lone added one more goal before the end of the period and the Bombers cruised to a 5-0 victory.

The Bombers went 1 for 9 on the power play. The Lakers could not capitalize on 9 attempts with the man advantage. Jack Osmond earned his second shutout of the season, stopping all 31 shots. Lukas Toth was much busier in the other end stopping 47 of 52 shots. The three stars for the matchup were Jack Osmond (1st), Jonah Smith (2nd) and Owen Riffel (3rd). 448 fans packed the Hangar for game one of the weekend series.

The rematch is set for Saturday night at the Hanger with plenty on the line as the Lakers are still searching for their first W of the season and the Bombers hope to keep pace with the first-place Ice Dogs.