By Gary Moskalyk
26 Games 15-11-0 Points 30 WPct .577
3rd place, 3 points back of 2nd
GF 101 GA 78 +23
GFPG 3.88 GAPG 3.00 +0.88 goals per game differential
Penalty minutes 24.9 per game
PP% 16.5 PK% 84.9 Shorthanded GF 4, Shorthanded GA 4 Shutouts 1
TOP SCORERS GP G-A-PTS
Blake Burke Rookie (26 GP, 12G-14A-26 PTS), Ty Bahm (22 GP, 6G-18A-24 PTS), Owen Riffel Rookie (20 GP, 10G-11A-21 PTS), Connor Burke Rookie (22 GP, 6G-15A-21 PTS), Lucas Trimarchi (18GP, 8G-11A-19 PTS), Nolan Palmer Rookie Defence (25 GP, 5G-11A-16 PTS), Graeme Patrick (26 GP, 5G-11A-16 PTS), Tegan Neuman Rookie (11 GP, 5G-8A-13 PTS).
GOALIES GP W-L-T GAA SV% Shutouts Minutes)
Jake Manners (20 GP, 12-8-0, 2.53, .923, SO 1, 1,162)
Ethan Penner (2 GP, 1-1-0, 3.50, .915, SO 0, 120)
The Bombers are arguably the top story in the SIJHL this year. Virtually every player on the Sioux Lookout roster is a rookie, including rookie head coach Carson Johnstone. The team has a winning record, packs them in at the Hangar (396 fans average) and plays a heavy game.
Johnstone was busy prior to the Christmas break.
“Our captain, Lucas Trimarchi’s been out for a couple of weeks. We’ve had Tegan Neuman, another solid player, out for a little bit longer than Trimarchi. Trying to deal with that and also going doing to the December 1st cut down has been kind of difficult trying to figure out all our spots. Being an expansion team it’s our first time doing it.
“But it’s been good. We filled some hole with some other guys we added. So, I feel good about it.”
Nathan Dann is one of the recent pieces added to the roster. The Trail, BC native had a four-goal game against Wisconsin, giving him six goals in seven games with three helpers. Mitchell Daines has five games for the Bombers with three points.
Perhaps the biggest addition is goalie Ethan Penner. Penner’s had two solid games, won one, and sports a fine .915 SV% in the early going. Chances are Jake Manners will continue as no. 1, as his 12-8-0 record, 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% would suggest.
“I’m happy. I like the way the guys have played and stuff. I’m the kind of guy who is never really satisfied,” Johnstone chuckled. “I still think there’s a lot of improvement to go and that we can get a lot better. We’re just going to keep focusing on trying to improve in the areas we need to. I’ve got to say I’m not disappointed with the start.”
The Bombers took one of the two against Dryden in the recent home and home series to close out the year. They’re 1-3 against the Ice Dogs overall. They’re 3-3 against first place Kam River, 3-2 against Thunder Bay and 2-1 versus Red Lake.
“Hope the guys stay focused and turn it on when the time is right,” Johnstone added. “Everybody knows come January things dial up even more.”