Bombers are Champions Once Again!!!

The Bomber Hockey Club won its sixth franchise league championship on Thursday by beating a formidable opponent, The Ooff, 3-2. Late in the third period, the Bombers recovered from what could have been a devastating blow to their Championship effort. The Ooff, who had not led the entire game but who were always within striking distance, tied the Bombers with 2:53 left in the third period of the the Championship Finale.

Unfazed, the Bombers bounced right back 53 seconds later when Tony D'anna scored on a skillfull pass by the Rookie, Adam Lapinski. 2 minutes was all that remained between the Bombers and the Championship. When the final seconds ticked off the Bomber hockey faithful in attendance and around the world rewarded their team with the cheers deserving of hockey's most storied franchise.

Enjoy the pictures and please stayed tuned for a complete game and season review.






















Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

M.Bochner (2)
Rosenberg (13)
D'anna (9)

Assists:

Rosenberg
R. Auld
M. Bochner
B. Auld
Lapinski

Bombers Reach Finals

The Bomber Hockey Club reached its first league finals in since 2005 with a convincing 6-3 victory over the Sewer Rats. After beating the 2nd seeded Red Dogs in round 1 of the playoffs the Rats were hoping Cinderella's slipper would still fit in round 2. The Bombers although not quite the wicked stepmother did not allow the pesky Sewer Rats entrance to the grand ballroom.

With a short bench-8 skaters in all, the Bombers methodically took care of business scoring 1 in the first, 1 in the second prior to a 4 goal third period. Tony D'anna had two goals on the evening and although scored in 2 different periods were actually scored 34 seconds apart. One with 25 seconds left in the first and the next 9 seconds into the third. When Bill Auld scored on a penalty shot in the 3rd to make the score 4-0 the Bomber bench seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The questionable penalty shot call was one that was not met with much respect from the Sewer Rat squad that was trying to hold on to some chance at a comeback.

So with 9:40 remaining and a 4-0 lead the Bombers had a little breathing room. And they needed it as the Rats fought back to within 2 goals at 5-3. When Josh Burke and Dave Smith took minor penalties with 38 seconds remaining the Sewer Rats tried to put the pressure on. Fortunately for the Bombers, Adam Lapinski scored into a vacated Sewer Rat net to seal the deal with 7 seconds left.

"This one was for Mike and Lori" said Bomber Cpt Bill Auld. The couple was forced to spend their 25th anniversary away from the one thing they love the most-Bomber Hockey.

"We played solid tonight, none more than our Iron Man Rober' Auld" a jubiliant Mike Gilbert Sr professed after the game.

The Bombers were perhaps inspired to extend the playoffs for their comrades who were unavailable to play the 2nd round contest. The were additionally motivated by the support of key players Calvano and Gilbert, Jr who, although on the IR were a supportive coaching duo.

So the Bombers will advance to the Championship game on Thursday 8:00 to face the

winner of the OOFF! and Predator semifinal game.

Some tickets still available.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
B. Auld (11,12)
D'anna (7,8)
Kostrowski (4)
Lapinski (3)

Assists:
D'anna-2
Lapinski-2
B.Auld -1
M.Bochner-1
Kostrowski-1

D'anna's Hat Trick Seals Playoff Win

Tony D'anna netted a "natural" hat trick in the third period of an 8-2 first round playoff victory over the 6th seeded Moose. His three consecutive goals finished off the Moose squad that fought valiantly but could not keep up with a Bomber offense that seemed intent on taking care of business.

"Their goaltender was much better than the one we faced in our first contest." noted the Bomber's Neil Van der horn who ended up with 3 assists on the evening. One would might question how this could be since the netminder let in 8 goals on the night, but when you counter that with the fact he faced 63 Bomber shots it puts it back into perspective.

The Bombers were buzzing around the Moose net from the first drop of the puck, but were unable to chip one past in the first period. Bill Auld opened the scoring early in the second, less than a minute in. Exactly one minute later, Gary Simpson, bravely nursing an ankle injury, buried his breakaway chance. The Moose managed to capitalize on a rare Bomber miscue by Mike Rosenberg to cut the lead in half but #3 attoned for the error and scored his own 28 seconds later.

From that point on the Bombers never looked back scoring 4 straight goals-including a Bobby Orr'esque end to end attack by Adam Lapinski and the natural trick by D'anna.


The Moose were able to achieve a highlight of their own when their 4th line winger scored his first goal of his career-a fancy backhand shot that was met with much fanfare. Good work #23.

So the Bombers must await the winner of the Red Dogs and Sewer Rat contest. The winner will meet the Bombers on Wednesday at 10:15.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

D'anna (4,5,6)
Rosenberg (11,12)
B. Auld (10)
Simpson (4)
Lapinski (2)

Assists:

Simpson -3
Van der horn -3
B. Auld -2
Kostrowski
R. Auld
Burke

Game Notes:

The playoff victory against the Moose was the first at Bridgewater Sports Arena since March of 1995. The Bombers bested the Renegades in overtime 2-1.

The ice on the Red Rink at BSA was nearly unplayable. Players from both teams commented that the rink was better before they tried to fix it. "This is more like pond hockey" noted Adam Lapinski.

Playoffs Set. Bombers to face Moose in Round 1

#6 SEED MOOSE

VERSUS





#3 SEED BOMBERS

The Bombers will start their quest for Championship glory by facing the Moose in Round One of the C-league Summer Playoffs at BSA. The game is on Monday August 24th at 8pm.

Ooff! Bombers Fall Again 4-3

The Bombers are not peaking liked they had hoped before heading into the Summer Playoffs. The Bombers have needed a shootout to win their only game in the last three and have fallen 4-3 in their last two contests. The latest a loss to the Ooff! who are trying to lock up the number 1 seed.

"We just have not gotten off to a good start the last 2 games. The Red Dog game (a 3-2 shootout win) was a good game and we were happy to earn the win, but the last two games we were the better team. We just didn't play like it." said Bomber Cpt, Bill Auld.

The team must take any positives they can from the season and rally back if they hope to win their 6th championship. "I feel it, I think we are due." said Bomber defensemen Dave Smith.

Only time will tell. Playoff schedules are not yet out but keep visiting the Bomber Hockey Club blog for times and dates.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
Dave Bochner (2)
Tony D'anna (3)
Mike Rosenberg (10)

Assists:
B. Auld-2
R. Auld
D. Bochner
D'anna

Bombers Fall -Win Streak Stops at Six

The Bombers felt defeat for the first time of the season when the Predators beat them 4-3 on Tuesday. For what was possibly the first time this season the Bombers were out hustled for an extended period of time and the Predators managed 3 goals in the first two periods compared to a goose egg for the Bombers.

The Bombers used the 2nd intermission to work up a game plan to save their winning streak but it was not enough. The Bombers scored early in the 3rd with a goal by Brian Kostrowski 43 seconds in. The Preds again built their lead to 3 with 10minutes left. So with 3 minutes left and a undefeated streak on the line, the Bombers decided to go for broke and pulled goalie Josh Burke for the extra attacker. A late penalty to Kostrowski did not change the decision and the move nearly worked when the Auld duo of Rober' and Bill scored shorthanded goals in the final minutes.

The Predators looked somewhat woozy from the last minute scoring spree and nearly lost control of the game entirely when the allowed a final barrage by the Bombers. Bill Auld nearly connected on a Tony D'anna waist high goal mouth pass that deflected over the net.

"We needed that type of intensity all game." said Bomber center Neil Van der horn. "We just didn't have the puck control that we've been used to, and you could see they were geared up." added Mike Gilbert, Sr.

So the streak is over but it could be just what the Bombers needed to focus on the final regular season game and the approaching playoff run.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

Kostrowski (3)
R. Auld (5)
B. Auld (9)

Assists:
Bowser-2