By Craig Stein
The Flin Flon Bombers were in real danger of hitting the Christmas break on a seven game losing streak, down 3-0 after the first period in Kindersley Tuesday night.
The Bombers then scored five unanswered goals, including four in the third period, on their way to a come-from-behind 5-3 win over the Klippers, halting that losing streak at six.
Nick Shumlanski got the comeback started just 27 seconds into the second period, and he finished with two goals and two assists to lead the way. Nate Hooper also scored twice while Ethan Daniels added the other. Jordan Funk chipped in three assists and Brenden Newton made 26/29 saves in goal for the Bombers (10-18-1-3).
The Klippers (14-14-2-2) fall back to .500, dropping 6 of their last 7 games. Devon Cyr, Tate Page and Tanner Thompson did their scoring, all in the first period.
Heading into the break, Kindersley sits fourth in the ultra-competitive Global Ag Risk Solutions Division, 8th overall in the league. The Bombers are 3rd in the Sherwood, and hold the 10th and final playoff spot, with a seven point cushion over Yorkton.
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While surely most teams are happy to head home for the holidays, the Nipawin Hawks might be the exception. The Hawks would likely be fine continuing to play, as they wrapped up their Pre-Christmas schedule on an absolute tear, now 15-0-1 in their last 16 games, after Tuesday’s 4-0 win in La Ronge.
Jake Anthony stopped all 30 shots he faced for his first shutout in the SJHL. The rookie has not missed a beat with Declan Hobbs back in the WHL, as much of the Hawks’ latest streak has been with Anthony in the cage. He’s now 15-2-1-1 on the season, with a 1.87 GAA and a .928%.
Brandan Arnold finished off the scoring on Tuesday, hitting the 25-goal plateau for the season. Chad McCartney, Brett Harasymuk and Logan Casavant (1g-1a) also hit the net.
The Hawks (26-5-2-2) now have a 9-point lead over Melfort for top spot in the Sherwood Division. Their 56 points are also the most in the SJHL, while Battlefords, their closest competition, has 50, but the Stars’ four game in hand gives them a slight edge for the league’s top winning percentage, at .806, to the Hawks’ even .800.
The Ice Wolves (7-23-0-2) find themselves in the SJHL basement at the holiday break, just one point back of 11th place Yorkton, eight out of a playoff spot.
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