Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Charity Hockey Classic or Chico and Stanley go to the Rink to Build a House (part two)

Ok, back to the action. Player introductions (the Bombers and then these guys: Bruce Driver, Rob Skrlac, Randy Veleschek, Grant Marshall, Rob Laferriere, Sergei Starikov, Jim Dowd, Ken Daneyko and Chico Resch (are you kidding me), national anthem and Bill and Bruce line up at center ice for the Ceremonial puck drop in front of the Stanley Cup (are you kidding me?!?!)





















And one minute 22 seconds later the Devil Alumni fire their initial salvo to claim their 4th consecutive Charity Hockey Classic with a goal by Alumni substitute Rob Laferriere. Rob would trade goals with NJ hockey legend, Jimmy Dowd, as the Alumni built a 4-0 lead with only 10 minutes played in the first.

The Bombers were able solicit a roar from the crowd when halfway through the first period Bill Auld found himself on a breakaway against the great Chico Resch. But at the last second he spotted linemate Tony D'anna chasing close behind. A drop passed served as a deke for the Captain and D'anna was there to rifle a twisted wrister that rang of the corner of the post and crossbar.














The period ended Devils Alumni -5 , Bombers almost 1.

The second period saw the Bombers light up Chico Resch with 4 goals (are you kidding me?). The Bombers "Fun Line" each managed to score in the period-Bill starting the scoring early in the second off a pass from D'anna, then Bobby Calvano burying the puck into an empty net again on a pass from D'anna -this time while prone to the ice and behind the net. TD finally got one of his own,skillfully depositing a rebound past childhood idol, Chico.


















Chico, so enthralled by the scoring display mobbed TD and his linemates much to the chagrin of his Alumni captain Bruce Driver. "Hey #1" shouted Driver. "Remember what color your wearing" Bruce said with a smirk. Chico must have taken this as a challenge as he tried to carry the puck himself up the ice on the next possession. The crowd appreciated the effort as did Mark Bochner who scored into the vacant net when his linemates -Rich Moss and brother Dave fed him a pass after cornering Resch and stealing the puck.
















The Time Line failed to score in the second stanza, but they were not without their own highlights. An apparently busted wheel was the only thing that stymied the high flying trio of Rosenberg, Rober' and Simpson. Big G provided his own drama this day by tumbling loudly into the boards for no apparent reason on numerous occasions as an open line mate watched in disbelief. "I didn't have time to get my skates sharpened" Big G would later say. Referring to his friends showman like tendencies, Rosenberg surmised that although he had a few miss steps his friend still found the spotlight. "I'm just saying!"















Unfortunately for the Bombers hard working D group of Zimnoch, Van der horn, Smith and Lapinski but fortunately for the fans who came to see their Devil heroes-the Bombers 4 second period goals were countered by 7 Devil Alumni tallies. Rob Skrlac opened the period with 2 goals in 2 minutes, Mr.Devil, Ken Daneyko deftly added 2 of his own (making that like the 50th goal he has scored in the 4 Classics), Rob Laferriere got his third of the night, and Velischek and Marshall notched one apiece .

The Bombers juggled lines in the third period moving Rober' to the Fun Line and Bobby Calvano to the Time Line in an effort to increase scoring. And it worked as the Bombers exploded with . . . one in the third. The final Bomber goal by Charity Hockey Classic rookie Adam Lapinski currently stands as the last ever goal scored against Chico Resch in competitive play. (if you could call it that!!)

After Bruce Driver scored his obligatory goal in the third, Jimmy Dowd capped off his 4 goal affair with the final two goals of the day.

The horn sounded to end the game and while the teams met at center ice for the final group picture, Chico astutely summed up the Bomber performance like this. "If it weren't for the 1st and 3rd periods and part of the 2nd, you guys would have had us!!".
















On to the team photo-but wait-where is the star of the show-Lord Stanley? Not to worry, Rob Skrlac was on the case and he summoned a mobbed Cup Keeper to bring on the hardware. And Phil was up to the task even though throngs of spectators still awaited their picture with the cup.

It was an opportunity that all were not ready to pass by. The elite Devils players, NHL pros, had as giddy a gleam in their eyes as did the rag tag Bomber squad. One group enthralled by the chance to view history in its tangible form, the other group equally enthralled by the tangible history they were in some way a responsible for.
The final score turned out to be 16-5 in favor of the favorites but more importantly the capacity crowd was thrilled, the hockey was entertaining, and the money raised was substantial. Substantial in its amount- nearly $15,000- and in its purpose-building affordable homes for those who otherwise would be unable. That is a trophy in and of itself for the future Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners -a trophy that shines as bright and provides as much personal history as the other trophy in the room.

Thanks to all who supported this event!!



Game notes:

The attending media voted the three stars of the game .
3rd Star: Bill Auld from the Bombers
2nd Star: Jim Dowd -NJ hockey legend
and the
1st Star: the happiest guy in hockey
#1 Chico Resch

Apparently Neil Van der horn has family in the media as he was on the front page of the Courier news Sports section. See all his and a few others photographs taken by the Courier News staff at


http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CN&Date=20090315&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=903150802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1





















Note the story that the Bombers pushed to the bottom of the page.

Jim Lawson missed the days festivities when his flight from California was redirected to Chicago due to mechanical difficulties. Really, it's true- he says.

Bomber goalie Josh Burke faced 49 shots in 45 minutes of play

The Bombers had a coaching staff for the game but were somehow missing their stickboy when the Gilbert's, Junior and Senior managed linechanges for the storied franchise.

The party room upstairs was buzzing this year as Daneyko, Dowd, Driver,Skrlac, Marshall and Laferriere attended the postgame festivities.

Chico Resch was still in his goaltenders equipment an hour after the game, graciously signing autographs for all who asked.

Randy Velischek after the game vowed to return for what would be the Fifth Charity Hockey Classic

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Charity Hockey Classic or Chico and Stanley go to the Rink to Build a House (part one)

Impressive!! That was the word most heard by this reporter when describing the Bomber Hockey Club's 4th annual Charity Hockey Classic vs. the NJ Devil Alumni Assoc. to benefit Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Impressive was the fact that Devils fans, hoping to see their favorite hockey heroes, arrived 2 1/2 hours prior to game time, prior to the volunteer staff arrival and prior to someone named Phil who had a certain historic chest in tow.

Impressive is what was in that otherwise unimpressive and ordinary chest. A chest that was rolled in by none other than a guy name Phil. You know the guy-he with the white gloves. That's no actor. That's Phil, officially known as - "The Keeper of the Cup."

What a cool gig.

What a cool day.

The Stanley Cup was here.



The day started early for the Bomber Hockey organization. Phil gave the Bomber Hockey Club its exclusive time with Lord Stanley's Cup. We could take pictures with it, heck we could touch it! We found out we couldn't hold it above our heads in victory because that privilege was reserved only for those whose name is etched on the Cup. But we could inspect those names. We could look back on all those players we remembered as a kid. Whether it be the Devils most recent championship teams or the 80's Islander dynasty. Maybe Gretzky's Oilers or Mario's Penguins. For some it could be any one of those fabled Montreal teams from Richard to Lafluer. And of course others we never could have seen but who's names we still know. And all those old time teams with the cool names like The Montreal Maroons and the Toronto St.Pats, The Vancouver Millionaires and the Seattle Metropolitans.



This in and of itself would have made a memorable Bomber event. But there was still much left to do.

There was still money to raised for our charity-Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.


And of course there was still a game to be played.


As the Devils Alumni trickled in you could see the fans and the opposing Bomber Hockey players get more animated. But unlike other modern athletes, these pros seemed liked regular guys. They toted their own gear and sticks and had to find their own locker room just like the average rink rat. The fan friendliness of the professional hockey player is unique in today's sport landscape.

Yes, there was Bruce Driver the head of the Alumni mingling with fans. And as imposing as Rob Scrlac and his 6'7 frame was, he was still approachable. Russian Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Sergei Starikov arrived and noticed the Bombers Rober' and Neil in the crowd, stopped and exclaimed in a loud and thick Russian accent "you two playing!!! Look out for me . . . I'm number 4!" Grant Marshall and Randy Veleschek politely asked directions to the Devil Locker room. How quaint. Oh and there is New Jersey's own born and bred Jim Dowd , who less than a year ago was playing in the league. "Can I go up and see the cup?" he said. But of course, he did after all help win it for the Devils in 1995. How cool.

But as unassuming as they were they were still awe inspiring. And the fans were waiting with much anticipation for the star of the day Chico Resch. Chico, who while signing autographs in last year's Classic promised he "would play next year" turned out to be true his word. There he was, an original Devil and perhaps the friendliest man in hockey. A hall of famer, a Stanley Cup Champion.

Let's play some hockey!

The parking lot -full. The printed tickets-gone. The excitement-tangible and Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity was already raising significant money. Money that will be used to help low income families build their own affordable homes.
The crowd electric and ready.
Game on!!

To be continued . . .

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The New Face of Bomber Goaltending

Hey Bomber faithful. Check out Josh Burke's new Bomber inspired helmet. Amazing!




Bombers Drop 2 in a Row

The Bomber Hockey Club could not get its mojo going, allowing 6 goals in each of its last two games to fall to 0-4-1. But the Bomber faithful will take solace in the fact that the organization is only 4 pts out of a playoff spot.

Next game Wednesday March 11-9:45 v Bears.


Bomber Box Scores:

March 8 v Mountaineers:

Goals:
Rosenberg(1)
D'anna (1)

Assists:
Lawson
B.Auld
Lapinski

Penalties:
D'anna 2min Hook
D'anna 2min Rough
D.Bochner 2 min Int
Van der horn 2min Int


March 4 v Bears
Goals:
B.Auld (2)

Assists:
Lapinski
Lawson

Penalties:
None