The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jeff LaPointe scored with 6.4 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Flin Flon Bombers over the Melfort Mustangs by a score of 5-4 last night. Both teams were playing for pride, as neither have a chance of reaching the post season. The Mustangs came to town as one of two teams lower than the Bombers in the SJHL's Dodge Conference. Early in the game, it looked as if Flin Flon was going to walk away with another blowout win over Melfort, as the Bombers led 2-0 after the first period. Flin Flon's sloppy play in the second period gave the Mustangs a chance to get back in the game. Derek Gallagher got the Bombers on the board with a power-play goal at 6:20 of the first period, with Derek Blais and Anatoliy Moshkovsky assisting. Andrew Skrabek scored a beautiful short handed goal at 17:13 from John Iron and Francois Laverdiere to make it 2-0. Skrabek carried the puck deep into the Melfort zone, fighting off a Mustang defenceman, and the cut to the front of the net to put the puck over the shoulder of goaltender Jesse Rowe. Ryan Gebhart scored a power-play goal at 7:43 of the second period, appearing to kick the puck underneath Laverdiere, and Chad Richardson tied the game for the Mustangs with a breakaway goal at 14:53. Derek Gallagher restored Flin Flon's lead with a one-timer from the point at 17:16, assisted by Derek Blais and Anatoliy Moshkovsky. In the third period, Melfort tied the game at 3-3 on a goal from Jack Scott just 48 seconds after the opening face off, but Derek Blais scored on a one-handed backhand at 4:56 to make it 4-3 for Flin Flon. Joe Gori and Julian Matte assisted on the goal. Jesse Hupaelo tied the game for Melfort once again with a goal at 6:28, and the teams played out the rest of the third period without solving anything. In overtime, Derek Blais dug the puck out of the corner and fed LaPointe for his 15th goal of the season, with Anatoliy Moshkovsky picking up the other assist. It was the fourth point of the night for Blais, who had a hand in every Bomber goal. Francois Laverdiere made 40 saves to earn the win.
