FLIN FLON, Man. - The 2022 SJHL final is going to a Game 7.
The Flin Flon Bombers scored three times in each of the second and third periods to defeat the Estevan Bruins 6-1 Tuesday night at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon, Man., to win Game 6.
Game 7 will be played Friday night at Affinity Place in Estevan.
Neither team scored in the first period. Flin Flon had the best chance early on, but Bruins goaltender Boston Bilous made a stellar save less than four minutes into the opening frame.
Bruin forward Keagon Little had a breakaway with just over four minutes to play in the period, but Bombers' goaltender Cal Schell came up with the save. Seconds later, Cole Duperreault had a breakaway for Flin Flon, but couldn't beat Bilous.
Eric Pearce had a great scoring chance for Estevan late in the first period as well.
Flin Flon opened the scoring 37 seconds into the second period on a goal by Drew Kuzma. Defenceman Xavier Lapointe doubled the lead with just over six minutes to play in the second, and Duperreault added to the advantage with 34 seconds to play.
Duperreault's goal came shortly after Pearce was hooked when breaking in on Schell during the Bombers' man advantage. No penalty was called.
Mark Rumsey scored for Estevan 83 seconds into the third period. Estevan had a glorious chance to pull within one a short time later, but Schell coralled the puck just before it crossed the line. Jaeden Mercier then restored the lead moments later.
Jaxon Martens scored into an empty net to put the game away, and Zak Smith's goal rounded out the scoring.
Flin Flon outshot Estevan 43-34.
Estevan is seeking its first league title since 1999. They lost the 2018 final in seven games against the Nipawin Hawks. Flin Flon last won the championship in 1993. They lost the final in 2016 to the Melfort Mustangs and 2017 to the Battlefords North Stars.
SaskToday.ca will have updates after each period in Game 7.
