The Bombers are now in the midst of unfamiliar territory - a losing streak. Flin Flon took a tough 3-1 loss to Humboldt Thursday night on the road.
The maroon and white's vaunted offence could not gain traction and the defence faltered early, putting the Bombers in a rut they could not dig out of, despite attempts to claw back in the third period.
Flin Flon was able to get chances early, but seemingly forgot how to play defence through much of the first, giving up several breakaway and odd-man rush chances to the Broncos. Humboldt outshot the Bombers early on, even though the team continued to push forward.
That pressure by Humboldt led to the first goal, getting a lucky bounce midway through the first period, with Maddox Amaral coming in on a two-on-one with Matthew van Blaricom, keeping, firing and hitting the post. That play would continue though, with the puck then bouncing off the back of Harmon Laser-Hume and into the net, right before a Bomber backchecker knocked the net off by crashing into the post.
Humboldt led 1-0 going into the second. The Bombers continued their issues on defence, while Bronco netminder Benjamin Motew stymied their offence.
Humboldt caught a break when Noah Houle picked up a double minor for a kneeling call. That led to the Broncos pressing and Travis Bryson, sneaking into the zone uncovered, beating a defender and Laser-Hume for the goal, making it 2-0 Humboldt.
The Bombers almost got on the board with a pair of great chances late. First, Keefe Gruener snuck into the zone on a shorthanded breakaway, getting loose for a long solo run in on net for the third straight game - and for the third straight game, he could not convert. With moments to go in the frame, Alexi Sylvestre did manage to beat Motew, but the puck skittered wide of the net. Flin Flon was down 2-0 going into the third.
Things would change to start the third, with the Bombers a man up thanks to a penalty by Humboldt. Flin Flon took full advantage, with Jacob Vockler finding the twine on an off-balance shot and breaking Motew's shutout, making it 2-1.
Flin Flon couldn't keep up the pressure in the third though, despite a pair of powerplay chances early on. Laser-Hume was pulled for an extra skater with a minute and a half to go, but the Bombers failed to generate a tying goal despite a pair of good chances, instead allowing Amaral to fire his second of the night into the empty net.
Motew was nearly perfect for the Broncos, making 37 saves on 38 shots, while Laser-Hume stopped 38 shots.
It was the Bombers' first loss to Humboldt this season, having beaten the Broncos three times already this season. Both teams' regular seasons will end with a pair of games at the Elgar Petersen Arena March 15-16.
The loss marks the first time this season the Bombers have lost back-to-back games, having eaten a defeat to the Battlefords North Stars in their last game. The Bombers have now lost three of their last four games and have a record of 40-4-2-0, with 82 points. Flin Flon still stays first place in the SJHL's standings.
Two Bombers saw lengthy point streaks come to an end in the loss, with Carter Anderson and Houle, who had points in seven straight and six straight games, each held off the scoresheet.
The Bombers will play two more road games this weekend, playing Kindersley Friday and Saturday.
