Walleye edge Bombers 2-1, Bombers recognize players, volunteers, and billet families 

Tim Brody - Editor

A “frustrating” result for the Sioux Lookout Bombers in their March 8 match-up against the Kam River Fighting Walleye according to Sioux Lookout Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone.
The Bombers lost 2-1 to the visiting Walleye in their final home game of the regular season at the Hangar (Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena).
After a scoreless first period, Daxton Lang scored at 4:45 in the second period to put the Walleye up 1-0.
Jett Mintenko added the Walleye’s second goal of the evening with 13 seconds left in the period.
Amid a chorus of “Let’s Go Bombers” Owen Cotter found the back of the net for the hometown team at 16:22 in the third period to cut the score to 2-1 Walleye.
The Bombers pulled their goalie with two minutes remaining in the period for extra offensive but couldn’t get the puck by Walleye’s goalie Sam Keene.
“Unfortunately, just a frustrating game, chasing the game a little bit tonight. We could never really just get in going,” Sioux Lookout Bombers Head Coach Carson Johnstone shared.
“A little bit frustrating as a coach. We worked really hard again. When we don’t win, it seems to be the mistakes that we make. It’s not so much other teams earning it, beating us and really wearing us down, it seems to be more mental lapses, mistakes that we make, and pucks end up in your net. That’s the game of hockey of course, but it’s certainly frustrating because if we had just stayed committed, probably a different result tonight,” Johnstone shared.
“The other thing is you can’t go three, four power plays in a row without a goal. It kills you,” Johnstone said, referring to the Bombers going 0-3 on the power play in the first period.
The Walleye had three power play opportunities in the second period, but the Bombers were able to kill each power play off. 
The Bombers close out the regular season with a pair of games on the road against the Red Lake Miners March 14 and 15.
Asked the team’s gameplan closing out the season and heading into the playoffs, Johnstone shared, “Just good habits, doing the little things right, stay committed to the things you want to do.” He added, “That will be our focus next weekend, just shore up the details and do little things right so we feel confident heading into the playoffs.” 
The Bombers have secured home-ice advantage in the first round of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) playoffs, which begin on March 21.
The Bombers paid tribute to their senior players during the March 8 match, recognizing 20-year-old players Tait Howell, Peter Zilkalns, Jonah Smith, Alex Lucas, Owen Riffel, and Ty Lone, who will not be back next season. 
The Bombers also held a special ceremony after the game to recognize their volunteers and billet families and present this year’s player and volunteer awards.

Player awards went to:

Community Involvement Award - Ashton Cuvelier
Most Improved Player Award - Ty Kirk
Defensive Player of the Year Award - Jonah Smith
Ty Lone Perseverance “Tony Award” - Ty Lone
Chief Pilot Award - Peter Zilkalns
Offensive Player of the Year Award - Alex Lucas
MVP Award - Kaden Veller

Volunteer awards were presented to:

Game-Day Award - Kayleigh Bates
Game-Time Award - Rob Favot
Broadcast Award - Max Derusha-Rice
Board Award – Austen Hoey