Next Game Sunday 3/2 v Mountaineers 8:30pm

versus

Bombers Rally Late for 4-3 Victory

The Bombers scored 2 late goals against a much improved Metro Fire squad to notch their first win of the Winter 2008 season. Down 3-2 in the waning minutes of a clean hard fought contest, Bob Calvano banged home a goal from the slot off a feed from Bill Auld to tie the game at 3. Adam Lapinski, playing in his first game for the big club, also assisted on the play.

As the Metro Fire took a time out the Bombers decided to reload and put out the line of Rosenberg, Lawson and Rober' for the final shift. The modified "Time Line" proved up to the task and Rosenberg was able to send Jimmy Lawson free down the left side with only one to beat. As the partisan Bomber crowd stood on their feet, Lawson sidestepped the opposing defensman, one-timed his own chip pass, and scored with 11.4seconds remaining.

Rober' then won the ensuing center ice face off and dumped the puck into the Metro Fire zone to seal the 4-3 victory.

Game Notes:
* With Tony D'anna out with flu like symptoms, "Original" Bomber Stu Blasius got a last minute call up and played his first game in nearly 3 years with the storied franchise.
*Adam Lapinski looked strong in his debut with some speculating that now the GM need not make a rumoured trade deadline deal for another puck moving defenseman.
*The second game of the night saw the Shamrocks and Bears playing to a 5-5 tie that was completed without the need of local law enforcement.

State Electric "POWER PERFORMERS" of the Game



1st Star
#20 Bob Calvano



2nd Star
#18 Jim Lawson




3rd Star
#6 Rich Moss










Bomber Box Score

Goals:
1st Period: None
2nd Period:
#6 Moss from #16 M.Bochner and #61 D.Bochner
#16 M.Bochner unassisted
3rd Period:
#20 Calvano from #0 Auld and #15 Lapinski
#18 Lawson from #3 Rosenberg

Penalties:
1st Period:
#26 Blasius 2min Hooking
2nd Period:
None
3rd Period:
#10 Zimnoch 2min Tripping

Next Game Sunday 2/24 8:30pm V Metro Fire

versus

Bombers Lose by 6-Win Big in Charity Hockey Classic

Well the Bombers didn't come out victorious on Sunday but all who attended knew that wasn't really the point. A crowd of nearly 500, supporting the Montville Educational Foundation charity, were treated to a skating exhibition from a spirited and entertaining Devil Alumni squad that included the likes of Bruce Driver, Randy Velischek, Alexi Kasatonov, Brian Mullen, Sergei Siminov, and Rob Scrlac. The Bombers fell to the Devil Alumni 13-7 but the experience was something they will never forget. "Their skill is amazing . . . I had an awesome time", said Bomber Alt Capt Bob Calvano.

Although he didn't don the pads, former Devil goalie and voice of the NJ Devils Glenn "Chico" Resch was in the stands signing autographs. When the game concluded, Mr. Resch stated that he enjoyed himself so much that "next year I'm playing in this one." To be able to meet "Chico" let alone possibly play against him is unbelievable" said Bomber LW Tony D'anna."

This third installment of the "Charity Hockey Classic", which had previously been held at Mennen Arena in Morristown found a new home in 2008 at the beautifully renovated Codey Arena in West Orange. The venue did not disappoint. The accommodations were excellent and when the arena's jumbo-tron started to show videographer Karen Auld's pre-game montage of Bomber/Devil Alumni games gone past the hockey faithful knew they were in the right place. WDHA's own "The Coach" Mike Cocheo then worked the crowd into a frenzy with rousing player introductions and colorful game commentary.

The game itself saw the high level of play that could only be provided by the Devil stars of the past as they effortlessly moved up and down the rink. Surprisingly the Bombers held a brief lead when Gary Simpson scored on goal assisted by his trusty longtime center Rober' Auld early in the first period. Bomber goalie Josh Burke then stated "we should leave now!" And he was right as the Alumni squad flexed their muscles and scored at will throughout the rest of the afternoon.

The Bombers did have their own highlights as Simpson’s early goal was followed by tallies from six other Bombers. The father son duo of Mike Gilbert Jr and Sr, both scored and when Bobby Calvano’s arms shot straight up in the air you knew he had put the biscuit in the basket. Earlier Neil Vanderhorn’s headman pass sent Bill Auld toward his breakaway score and sniper Mark Bochner played the part of playmaker when he assisted on brother Dave Bochner’ goal. Mike Rosenberg showed his parents watching in the stands that he still has the hands by fooling the Alumni goalie with a signature deke to round out the Bomber scoresheet.

But it was clear the Bomber defense had the toughest task of the night holding back the Devil Alumni onslaught. Valiantly Dave Smith, Rich Moss, John Zimnoch, Vanderhorn & the Gilberts put their best effort forward combating the laser like passing, "Spinner-ama" goals, and heavy shots of the Alumni squad that left them constantly guessing. #20 Sergei Siminov and his deft stick handling assisted on nearly every Devil goal including gems from Driver, Mullen and Scrlac. When Bomber Bill Auld put the puck in his own net goalie Burke proclaimed “I am having a hard enough time as it is.” By that time the Devil Alumni were a mere extra point short of scoring two touchdowns.

The camaraderie built up over the past three years of competition between the Bombers and Devils belied the lopsided 13-7 score. And when the game was over and the Devils finished signing autographs for all that asked, members of each team were treated to fine food and drink provided by Praxinet, Inc cofounder “Anthony” D’anna. Devil Alumni and Bomber players swapped stories and talked hockey into the early evening. After realizing he had just shook hands goodnight with a former Stanley Cup champion, newest Bomber Jimmy Lawson stated “We really are the most storied franchise in NJ adult ice hockey history!”



Many thanks to all thanks to the Devils Alumni and all who came out and supported the 3rd annual "Charity Hockey Classic"

Bombers Ready For Big Game with Devils

The Bomber Hockey Club eagerly awaits their big game with the NJ Devil Alumni Association on Sunday Feb 10th at 1:15. Tickets available by calling The Montville Education Association at 973-808-2001 or at the Codey Arena Box Office.

2008 Bomber Hockey Posters Now Available

Pep Rally Dinner Set for Thursday 2/7

The Bomber Hockey Club will hold their annual "Pep-rally" dinner at the Grain House in Basking Ridge on Thursday February 7th at 7:30.

The annual get together, held prior to the Bombers charity game with the NJ Devil alumni, is an opportunity for the club to gear up for the big game and provide the public a chance to meet their favorite Bomber players.

The Grain House, part of the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge is located at 225 Route 202, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. For directions go online at http://www.oldemillinn.com/or call 800-585-4461.