Luck Be a Lady That Wasn’t on the Bomber Bench

Predators hand the organization a 1^st round loss and one-way ticket to the losers’ bracket

by Zippo Heltheescratz-Bomber beat reporter
 

Despite rolling two lines of forwards and D (once Lundeen-san said domo arrigato to his Japanese colleagues and BK strolled in), the storied Bomber franchise came up short in the 1^st game of the Fall/Winter 2013 Playoffs, falling to the Predators by a score of 5-3.

The effort was there, but fair and balanced officiating was nowhere to be found.  Calls were made when they shouldn't have been, and when they were, they were often erroneous and so bad they got nothing but laughter from the bench.

“I mean that was a beautiful hip check, right there on Lupe!” said Rober’ who brought some much needed motivation to the bench. “And of course, there was no call – just an offside whistle -- no one takes out our Mexican, unless it’s customs or border patrol!”

After dropping two goals in the first period, the Bombers quickly battled back with a goal from Hoyer, who brought the Bombers within one.  But luck never seemed to stay with the organization for long that night. The Predators went on to bump their lead to 2 with an unfortunate bounce that had the puck trickle past the Bombers’ back up net-minder for the evening, the Whalers' John Fallone – a horrible feeling as he clearly had the save. Could that have been Fallone's way of ensuring the Bombers wouldn't play the Whalers in the second round? We will never know.

But, as anyone who follows the play of the franchise knows, persistence pays off. Fresh off his goal from the previous match up against the Predators that ended his 10-game goal drought, Kappmeier was able to put a biscuit in the basket. 

“Sure felt good,” said Kappmeier. “Was afraid that drought would stay with me for a while and ship me down to the minors – going from drought to streak takes your confidence from zero to sixty.”

Following Kappmeier’s goal was one from JZ, who battled from behind the net to slide one past the goaltender to tie up the match.But the officials would have nothing of it. Despite being two full puck lengths behind the goal line, celebration by the Bombers and the unified look of failure on the Predators, Rossi claimed that he did not SEE and nullified the goal that evened up the match.

“There’s no question it was in!” shouted JZ when skating to the bench.  “I was staring right at it!”

And that would be the story of the game for most of the 2^nd and 3^rd period.  The organization just couldn't buy a goal. Junior was denied on what was a beautiful attempt and an even more impressive save by the Predators goalie who obviously was in much better form that his last showing.

However, with about 1:30 seconds left in the match, Hoyer was able to score his second of the game which gave the Bombers much needed motivation and brought them within one of tying the match. 

"We can do this boys!" shouted Hoyer as the Bombers lined up for the face-off at center ice. "Skate hard for the next 90 seconds and crash the net!"

Throwing six skaters on the ice, the Bombers gave it everything they had, but they just couldn't get the puck cleanly into the Predators’ zone, and when they did, they were quick to clear.  The icing on the cake came from an empty netter.

The Bombers’ next playoff showing will be April 1^st at 9:25 PM against the 8^th seed Puck Pimps.  Hope still remains for the franchise to ride the losers’ bracket and go deep in the playoffs – but it’s now do or die! Get out there and cheer for your Bombers just like the kid below!

 

Puck Pimps=W Preds=W Playoffs=?

The Bomber hockey club finished the long F/W 12-13 regular season in fine fashion with victories over the PuckPimps and the Predators.  The Bombers were especially up for a 10-2 thrashing of the Predators whom they will face in the first round of the playoffs.  "They always play us well" said Bomber D-man Dave Smith, adding "I was surprised we got them so soundly."

The PuckPimp contest was a much tighter affair even though their club was last in the standings at season's end.  The Bombers needed a shootout to get a 3-2 victory.  Josh Burke stopped 3 of the 5 Pimp shooters and the Bombers were able to counter with goals by Jean Eric Hoyer', Bill Auld and Lupe' Poltorak who netted the clincher.  Bill had both goals in the game on assists from Smith, Hoyer' and Zimnoch. 

The 10 goals the organization was able to muster against the Predators was welcomed but not expected.  The Bombers had lost to the Preds earlier in the season by a 6-5 score and won 2 by a close score.  A 7-3 victory in February was against a Predator team without their starting goaltender. His return on Wednesday was enough to have the Bombers prepared for battle.  "He was rusty" said Preds captain Ken Jinks.  "Not sure if he is quite right yet."  Jean Eric Hoyer' managed a hat trick (his 5th such accomplishment of the season) and Bill Auld, Junior, and JZ netted 2 each.  The goal of the game however came from one Kyle Kappmeier, who broke a personal 10 game goal scoring drought.  "He had been squeezing that stick a bit much lately.  He had a string of bad luck and hadn't scored but it was not for a lack of trying." said Hoyer' after the game.  "It was a nice play by Junior-all of us on the bench were yelling for the pass." noted Auld. 

In other encouraging news, Rober' Auld skated warmups for the club, his first time back on skates since an irregular heartbeat had him sit out since before Christmas.  "Hopefully I'll be back in 3 weeks.  Just in time for next season." said Rober' to the delight of the Bomber locker room.  After warmups Rober' teamed up with Mike Gilbert, Sr as coaches on the bench.  If you ask them that was the main reason for the 10-2 blowout.  Not many would dare to disagree! 

After the game Sr issued limited editions Bomber hats to our gun toting crazies JEH and Zippo Kappmeirer.  Sr although happy to provide them was not a big fan of the results.  This picture shows there might have been some debate between the players themselves on just how cool they looked.

So the playoffs are up next for the Bombers.  A first round matchup with the Predators with an early 8:30 starttime should bring in a slew of fans ready to root their team to victory.  Or at least help them drink the beer.

State Electric Power Performers of the Game:

3/18 v Puck Pimps

1st Star: Josh Burke
2nd Star: Bill Auld 2g & so goal
3rd Star: Dave Smith







3/20 v Predators:

1st Star: JEH 3g 1a
2nd Star: Lupe'  2pim 43 toi
3rd Star: JR 2g 1a

Wednesday Game Time Moved to 8:45

Wednesday regular season finale with the Predators has been moved up to an 8:45 start.

Its a Catch 22

The good news was the Bombers put up 14 goals on the scoreboard in the team's last two contests.  The bad news is they let up 22.  You read that right 22.  Granted the Bombers did draw B2 division castoffs and league leaders the Mastadons and Vudoos but with all of their own goal scoring one might think a split at the very least would be in order.  Bomber management commented it was concerned but more so with stalwart goaltender Josh Burke's ankle injury than with the two losses.  Burke, playing on a sore ankle for much of the season, did the unthinkable and went to the doctor's office.  He followed that questionable decision with another-telling his wife that the doctor said to stay off of it for a few weeks.

The Bombers have been hit by the injury bug this season with Rober' Auld, Greg Russotti, Tony D'anna,Scott Lundeen, and  Lupe' Poltorak all spending time on the DL.  That doesn't even count the loss of Mike Rosenberg who has been out the entire season but who did see his first action in the loss to the Vudoos.  Rosenberg was a big lift in the room and on the ice.  Fans flocked to the arena when news came out that he would indeed be in the lineup.  Even fellow Bomber legend, Mike Gilbert, Sr could not resist attending to see the contest and his old friend.   In true #3 form, Mike enthralled the crowd scoring 2 goals and showing the silky hands that have made him a Bomber legend.  "We need more #3 in the lineup" said Bomber captain Bill Auld. 

D'anna has returned in prime form and the Bombers hope to get Lundeen back soon after his bout with the sniffles.  Lupe has also returned from his "I am not really a good snowboarder but I wear all the cool clothes" accident but the club must wait yet on Russotti and Rober'.  Good news for Rober' is he may get doctor's clearance in the next three weeks, but he first must undergo the doctors "tazer to the chest -good as new" procedure on Monday. 

One bright spot in the two game thrashing was the performance of Mike Gilbert, Jr's  fivehead (it was a forehead when he had hair but has since been elevated to a fivehead).  "His defense of that wad of tape that was thrown at him was stellar." said Josh Burke adding "Lupe' put him in a place to succeed with that toss and JR came through.  He provided a lot a laughter for all of us for years to come.  He is just that kind of guy."

Artist's rendering of Junior's reaction to being hit by the ball of tape. Make special note of the open mouth and position of the left hand and the limp wristed right hand.  (hair added to protect the identity of one Mike Gilbert, Jr)