The best-of-seven SJHL semi-final series between the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings and Flin Flon Bombers will be going back to Flin Flon for Game 5. The Bombers opened the scoring in the first period and would continue to add to the lead throughout the game for a 5-1 victory, silencing the 1420 in attendance at Crescent Point Place.
“We just didn’t have it tonight, but at the end of the day, we’re in a pretty good spot here after the first four games,” commented Red Wings head coach Cody Mapes after the game. “We’re going to move on here and learn from this one, but we’re looking forward to Game 5.”
The Bombers scored with 9:38 left to play in the first period, when Keefe Gruener got the puck past Angelo Zol. The Bombers then extended the lead early in the second when Carter Cormier scored 3:18 into the frame. Eric Han then made it 3-0 with 7:23 to play in the middle frame.
The Red Wings would respond before the end of the second period, as Ethan Dekay notched his fourth of the postseason with 5:54 remaining. Jerome Maharaj and Josh Karman had the assists on the goal.
Weyburn would put a lot of pressure on the Bombers in the third period, but the momentum they were gaining would be slowed by a goal coming off a quirky redirection in front of the Red Wings' net by Anthony Piccininno. Ryder Ringor then finished off the scoring with a goal with eight minutes remaining.
While the Red Wings have yet to lose on the road so far in this playoff run, Mapes isn’t taking anything for granted as they prepare for the trip up north.
“You saw it tonight, they’re going to have some jump, and I expect them to be even better there,” Mapes said. “In Flin Flon, they’re a real good team, and we’re just going to make sure that we prepare well. We don’t really care where we play. We’re just going to try and put our best foot forward.”
You can catch all the action in Saturday’s game on Great Plains Ford Red Wing Radio Country 106.7. Dylan Fiessel will have the call with the pregame show starting at 6:15 p.m. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m.