Bombers end 2024 with pair of wins

Tim Brody - Editor

A pair of wins to end 2024 have the Sioux Lookout Bombers right in the thick of things in the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) standings. 
On Dec. 21, the Bombers played their final game of the year at the Hangar (Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena), skating away with a 3-2 win over the visiting Kam River Fighting Walleye. The previous evening, on Dec. 20, the Bombers defeated the Red Lake Miners 4-1 at the Cochenour Arena.
Sage Roberts got the crowd energized with a goal for the hometown team just six minutes into the first period. 1-0 Bombers. 
Tait Howell padded the Bombers lead with a goal at 18:26.
The Walleye answered back quickly though, with Carter Nailen finding the back of the net to cut the score to 2-1 Bombers at the close of the first period.
Caleb Labelle had the lone goal in the second period for the Walleye to tie the game 2-2 at 10:58.
Bombers Captain Jonah Smith got the lead back for the Bombers at 8:57 in the third period. The match came down to the wire with the Bombers having to hold off the Walleye after taking a five minute penalty at 14:39, but the Bombers were able to hang on for the 3-2 win.
Jonah Smith said after the match it was great to come away with a four point weekend, “The whole league’s pretty tight this year. It’s nice to come out with four point weekend right before Christmas and I think it’s a great way to leave off 2024.”
Matthew Ofukany picked up the win in net, as he did the previous evening.
“I think we went on a bit of a streak where we didn’t get the result we wanted, so this weekend we just made sure to play great defense and capitalize on our chances and that’s what we did,” he said.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” he shared. “We’re starting to trend at the right time and we’re all excited to get back after Christmas Break.” 
Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone was happy to pick up a pair of wins to close out the year, “Just what we’ve been talking about all year, building on the little things. Results, you can’t always get results. We’ve had some times where it hasn’t been excellent results for the efforts we’ve put in, but to get a result there, 3-2, it feels pretty good.”
“Obviously we’re not an offensive dynamo kind of team that scores, 6,7, a night, but our identity lends itself to playing tough defense and just outscoring the other team,” he shared. “I think we do a good job of keeping the game under control, but I’d like to keep more pucks out of our net in the second half and yeah, if we can find a little bit more offensive flair, that would definitely help us.”
Johnstone said it was great to see Ofukany have two great games in net, “This weekend, I don’t think Matt’s ever had the chance to do a back to back. He played real good in Red Lake last night and I wanted to give him that opportunity and he shined tonight.”
Commenting on the team killing a five minute penalty at the end of the third period he said, “I think at that time in the game there was five minutes and 30 seconds left, so obviously crunch time, the guys beared down and just worked hard to kill the penalty. Got to commend them.” 
Johnstone said he’s looking forward to 2025, “It always feels like a second season when you come back. It’s just like a fresh start almost. Good to get the points and put ourselves back real tight in the standings and be fired up for the second half.” 
The Bombers next game will be on Jan. 10 when they take on the Kenora Devil’s Gap Islanders at the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre. The Bombers will continue that series the following evening on Jan. 11 in Sioux Lookout. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. 
The Bombers currently sit third in the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) standings with 39 points.
The Walleye sit in second place with 40 points. The Thunder Bay North Stars sit in fourth place with 38 points. 
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs lead the league with 46 points.