Back to back wins at home for the Sioux Lookout Bombers to end the regular season

Tim Brody - Editor

The Bombers hosted the visiting Red Lake Miners on March 12 at the Hangar (Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena) and skated away with a convincing 7-2 victory.
Kaden Veller got the Bombers on the scoreboard at 11:58 in the first period.
Ty Love followed up with another goal for the Bombers at 12:36.
Shyler McGahey further padded the Bombers lead with a goal at 14:28.
Grady Holden got the Miners offence going with a goal at 14:56 to bring the score to 3-1 Bombers to end the period.
Owen Cotter quickly added another goal to the Bombers tally at 4:01, then went on to add another goal, this one short-handed, at 13:28 to make the score 5-1 Bombers.
Hayden Seib answered back for the Miners at 17:57 to make the score 5-2.
Both goals in the third period came off the sticks of Bombers players with Draeden Bear scoring at 11:27 and Cooper Labelle scoring at 13:25 to give the Bombers the 7-2 win.
Logan Maroni picked up the win in net for the Bombers in his first start on home ice.
The Bombers hosted the visiting Dryden GM Ice Dogs the following evening on March 13 and dug deep to earn a 4-2 win in a close contest.
The first period saw Elias Eisenbarth open the game’s scoring with a goal for the Ice Dogs at 7:36.
Sage Roberts tied things at 19:02 with a goal for the Bombers.
The second period saw the Ice Dogs regain the lead at 7:10 with a goal by Payton Hu.
Brodie Wood picked up a power play goal at 11:25 for the Bombers to tie the score 2-2. 
A goal at 15:36 by Cooper Labelle gave the Bombers a 3-2 lead.
The Ice Dogs pulled their goalie for the extra offence in the dying minutes of the period and Ty Love took full advantage of the empty net for the Bombers, scoring at 19:00 to extend the Bombers lead to 4-2, which ended up being the final score.
Matthew Ofukany picked up the win in net for the Bombers.
Sioux Lookout Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone said it was a great way to finish the regular season, “Really good final weekend for the guys and I hope that they carry that over because I think we could be a surprise team in the playoffs truthfully.”
Commenting on the game against the Miners he said, “They play hard. They’ve improved in the second half this year and put some wins under their belt so it felt good to remain in control of that game and score some goals for our confidence.”
Commenting on the win against the Ice Dogs, Johnstone said, “It’s a pretty cool rivalry. We played them tight, I think six one goal games this year and two by a deferential of two, one being tonight, pretty crazy when that happens but it felt good.”
He added, “I think our team has had some issues with just finishing out games this year, so to finally do it in our last home game, and do it in good fashion, felt really good for our team confidence, at least that’s the way it feels for me.”
The Bombers, who finished the season in 5th place, will face the 4th place Kam River Fighting Walleye in Round 1 of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) playoffs.
Johnstone was asked where he thinks the Bombers are strong going into the playoffs and where they might fine-tune things.
“I think our effort and how hard we work as a team is never in question. For whatever reason our team, sometimes we make these small mistakes and moments and that’s what the playoffs are about, moments. So, I think a strong suit of ours is obviously our effort and how hard we’re willing to play for 60 minutes, now we just have to make sure we’re not having these mental lapses. I think everybody has learned a lot and you play everybody throughout the season. We try to play all four of our lines throughout the year to get guys experience because everybody needs that in the playoffs, you need four lines going hard and I think everyone has learned a lot so it felt good to see it in action and to have some success.”
He added, “Our defensive game, in the net, I think we never really give up to many goals against, which is a strong suit of ours, so if we can continue to do that and just play good defensive hockey, hopefully our sticks light up a little bit. We struggled a bit to score some goals this year compared to years past, but it seems like maybe we’re lighting up a little bit in that regard and that comes with confidence.”
Johnstone said the Bombers fans have been amazing, and their support will be huge for the team during the playoff run.
“That last puck goes over the line for the 4-2 lead (against Dryden) and you hear this place go bananas, you feel it on the bench, you just feel that energy and it’s huge in the playoffs to know you have the fans’ support. They’ve been great honestly. All four years I’ve been here the fans have been fantastic. I hope that they’re excited for another good year of playoff hockey.”
March 12 was Billet Family Appreciation Night, and the Bombers thanked the families who opened their homes and hearts to their players this past season.
On March 13 the Bombers recognized and thanked their senior players who would not be returning to the team next season.

The Sioux Lookout Bombers kindly shared the following senior player acknowledgements with the Bulletin and are presented below.

Draeden Bear: 40GP 5G 11A - Draeden was acquired in mid-October from the Golden Rockets of the KIJHL and his impact was felt immediately. His hard work at both ends of the ice immediately earned trust from our coaching staff and he became a fixture for the Bombers at the Centre position. We could not have been happier to have Draeden wear the Bombers jersey and his attitude, work ethic and passion represent exactly what the Bombers Organization stands for. Next year, Draeden is looking to start pursuing a business degree at University. Good luck and thank you Bearzo! 

Sage Roberts: 76GP 29G 33A - Sage came to us in a trade from the La Ronge Ice Wolves in the SJHL in November of 2024. His scoring touch, particularly his shot made him an instant threat in the O-Zone. Something that other teams have to key in on every night! Rarely does Sage get a clear shooting lane that doesn’t result in a goal. Sage’s mild mannered demeanor makes him a great teammate and he will go down as one of the most dangerous snipers to ever wear a Bombers jersey. Next year, Sage is going to study criminology and play hockey for the Logan Lake Miners in the BCIHL. Good Luck and Thank You Robby! 

Matthew Ofukany: 62GP 2.48GAA .921S% - All Time Wins Leader in Bombers History (38), 2023/2024 Sioux Lookout Bombers Community Involvement Award Winner, 2025 Holiday Showcase Goaltender, 2025/2026 SIJHL All-Star, 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champion. Matthew has been with our program for 3 years and in that time has proven what it means to be a Sioux Lookout Bomber. Starting as our 3rd goaltender in his 1st season, all Matthew has done is work hard, have a great attitude, and develop into the league’s top goaltenders. He is a constant role model for younger players, and his hard work and journey is the framework for what we want all Bombers players to mirror. Matthew plans to play college hockey next year. Good Luck and Thank You Fooks! 

Ty Love: 113GP 25G 31A - 2025/2026 SIJHL All-Star, 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champion.  Ty Love has been a Bomber for 3 years and his upward progression into a top 6 forward has been an absolute pleasure to watch. Each year Ty has taken steps and developed all while being a solid teammate and work horse at both ends of the ice and on special teams. Ty combines his high skill level and lightning quick release with being one of the physical players on the Bombers. Which is a recipe for success! Good luck and thank you Lover! 

Beau Bannerman: 113GP 5G 17A - 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champion. Beau has been a constant force on the Blueline for the Bombers for 3 Years. Being a central part of the solid defensive structure of our team for his entire tenure in our program. Beau is a leader both on the ice and off the ice, leading by both his on ice play and demeanor and his off ice words. One of the best young men you will ever meet. Opposing teams are going to be grateful they don’t have to come down 28’s side of the ice starting next year. Good luck and Thank you Bans! 

Cedrik Robidoux: 131GP 28G 29A - 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champion.  Cedrik has been with our program for 3 years, and his calming presence and on ice talent have been a fixture since he arrived. Few possess the hands, creativity and hockey sense of Cedrik, and he puts it on full display every game. His upwards progression into a top 6 player is what the Bombers organization is all about and we could not be more proud that Cedrik has been a Bomber for so long. Good Luck and Thank You Ceddy! 

Owen Cotter: 144GP 55G 72A - Sioux Lookout Bombers all time Games Played Leader (144), 2023/2024 SIJHL Defensive Forward of the Year, 2025/2026 All-Star, 2024 Bill Salonen Cup, champion. Owen represents everything it means to be a Bomber. He works hard, gets the job done, doesn’t gloat, and is quietly one of if not the best player in the league. Saying it has been a pleasure to watch and interact with Owen for 3 years would be a huge under-statement. Always one of, if not the hardest players to play against for every team, guaranteed every team in the SIJHL is breathing a sigh of relief knowing they don’t have to worry about 11 anymore. Next year, Owen is joining former Bombers captain Jonah Smith at Portage College where he will study environmental sciences and play for the Voyagers. Good Luck and Thank You Cotts! 

Kaden Veller: 122GP 30G 62A - 2024/2025 Sioux Lookout Bombers MVP, 2025 SIJHL Holiday Showcase Team, 2025/2026 SIJHL All-Star, 2024 Bill Salonen Cup Champion. Kaden Veller became the 4th Captain in Sioux Lookout Bombers history and he has flourished into one of the most feared offensive threats from back end in the SIJHL. Kaden is a great leader off the ice as well, and every player he leads, is ready to go into battle for their captain. Nobody plays harder, or is as tough to play against as number 7. Good Luck and Thank You Vels!

The Sioux Lookout Bombers held their annual Awards Night on March 14 to honour some of the special players on the team and recognize their contributions to the organization.

Here are the 2025-26 Team Award Winners:

Most Valuable Player: Owen Cotter

Offensive Player of the Year: Owen Cotter

Defensive Player of the Year: Dylan Orr

Most Improved Player: Jason Haraphongse

Chief Pilot Award: Draeden Bear

Community Involvement Award: Lincoln Steinke 
Ty Lone Perseverance Award “The Tony”: Beau Bannerman

The senior players were also gifted custom printed canvases.