The Flin Flon Bombers hold a 2-0 lead over the Humboldt Broncos following the opening weekend of their first round series.
On the powerplay, Flin Flon has gone 4/15 while Humboldt has been unable to convert on their five attempts with the extra man advantage.
Following Saturday’s 5-2 loss in game two, Associate Coach Carter Hansen said the special teams is a main reason for the Bombers to be up by two games.
“In the second period and we get into some penalty trouble and that’s kind of where the Bombers are getting some life right now. End of the day, if we play five on five, we feel really good about this series.”
Even if the Broncos haven’t agreed with some of the penalties that have gone against them in the series, 15 penalties in two games is too many to take against a team like Flin Flon.
“When we’re killing seven or eight times a night, it’s too much strain on those killers, those guys get tired out and all of the sudden it messes up the flow, some guys didn’t get as much ice time because of that.”
Humboldt will get a boost to their lineup as defenceman Ryder Knutson returns to the lineup for game three after he suspended for game two when he was penalized for a one-man fight during Friday’s game one.
Despite being down a pair of games, the Broncos haven’t hit the panic button quite yet, Hanson says with the change of scenery in the series, Humboldt needs to keep the series five on five to give themselves a chance.
“We’re playing in a bigger rink, their slow d plays even slower there, so we have to take advantage of that, make them play defensive.”
Hansen added the first goal of the game will be important in game three to help give the Broncos momentum.
Coverage tonight’s game on Bolt FM begins at 7:15, with the opening faceoff at 7:30.
Season ticket holders have until noon to claim their seats and then they will become available to the public.
Game four is on Wednesday night in Humboldt, with the same start time at 7:30.