Chatham Coaches Lose-Bombers in Playoffs

The Chatham Coaches finished out their Winter 08' season needing a win if they wanted to pass the Bombers and compete in the playoffs.

But the Mountaineers scored early and often Monday night, winning the contest 7-2 much to the delight of the many Bomber faithful who made the trip to witness the fate of their most storied franchise.

So the Bomber's strong finish, specifically their 5-1 win vs Chatham on April 16th, propelled them into the playoffs and perhaps a shot at their 7th league Championship.

The Bombers first playoff game will be Sunday May 4th at 9:00pm vs either the Bears or the Mountaineers. Tickets available at the Twin Oaks Arena box office and Ticketmaster charge by phone.

9 Goals Enough to Keep Bomber Hopes Alive

The Bombers torched the Shamrock netminder with 9 goals and the victory on Sunday night. The Bombers remained in 4th place with the 9-7 win and need the Mountaineers to beat the Chatham Coaches on Monday to make this season's playoff tournament.

The Bombers have been playing well the last 3 games losing only to the first place Bears on a last minute goal. Word around the league is that if the Bombers make the postseason, rival GMs would fear having their club meet them in the first round.

Although both lines played well the scoring primarily came from the venerable "Time Line" of Gary Simpson 3g-1a, Rober' Auld 3a, and Mike Rosenberg 2g-2a. Jim Lawson moonlighted on both the "Time" and the "Fun" lines notching his own hatrick to go along with one assist. Bobby Calvano rounded out the scoring with a 2nd period tally.

The 9 goals were the most for the Bombers this season and it could not have happened at a better time against the highly skilled Shamrock squad. Shamrock standout defensemen #17 Tits Mcgee said after the game "Some will say we looked past them to the playoffs, but that's not the case. They are playing very well. I mean, they are the Bombers-a lot of history there. I wouldn't want to see them in the playoffs."

The State Electric Power Performers of the Game

"The Time Line"
















First Star:
#1 Gary Simpson 3g-1a















2nd Star
#3 Mike Rosenberg 2g-2a





















3rd Star:
#14 Rober' Auld 3a
















4th Star:
#18 Jimmy Lawson 3g 1a

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
1st Period:
#1 Simpson from #14 R.Auld and #3 Rosenberg
#3 Rosenberg from #1 Simpson and #14 Auld
#3 Rosenberg from #14 Auld
#1 Simpson from #3 Rosenberg
2nd Period:
#20 Calvano from #10 Zimnoch and #33 D'anna
#18 Lawson from #4 Oldendorp
#18 Lawson unassisted
3rd Period:
#1 Simpson from #18 Lawson
#18 Lawson from #10 Zimnoch

Penalties:
1st Period:
None
2nd Period:
None
3rd Period:
#4 Oldendorp 2min Hook
#18 Lawson 2min Rough
#18 Lawson 2min Crosscheck

Ouch-That Had to Hurt

The Bombers felt the sting of a late 3rd period goal and goalie Josh Burke felt the sting of a flying elbow in Wednesday's matchup with the 1st place Bears.

The Bombers came close to tieing the 1st place Bears and getting the much needed point. Tony D'anna scored 11 seconds into the game off a sweet feed from Bobby Calvano and the Bombers seemed ready for success. But less than 20 seconds later the Bears scored on their way to 1st period 5-2 lead.

With more focus and perhaps the playoffs in their minds the Bombers shut down their opponents for nearly the entire next 2 periods. Mark Bochner scored in the second and Jim Lawson, just back from a Montreal eye specialist, saw his way to a 4point night with 3 goals and 1 assist. The Bombers played tight D while also sacrificing their bodies. Specifically Adam Lapinski, Rober' and Jr who blocked many Bear shots on key goal scoring opportunities. Late into the 3rd the Bombers had clawed their way back to a 5-5 tie.

But their effort was foiled during a frantic goalmouth exchange that allowed the Bears to sneak one by Burke and put them ahead 6-5 with 92 seconds remaining. The Bears decided not to waste the waning moments, instead opting to send their pest foward #30 barreling into Burke with a minute remaining. Being the his 4th penalty of the night #30 was ejected from the game.

The ensuing power play saw some great Bomber chances but nothing found the back of the net. With the loss the Bombers remained in the final playoff spot but saw their hopes get a bit muddled. 5th place Chatham has the same amount of points, fewer wins in the tiebreaking scenario but they have a game in hand.

So the Bombers need a win on Sunday vs the Shamrocks and a little help from the rest of the league.


In a rare happening after a loss we will still award
the State Electric Power Performers of the game.














1st Star:#
18 Jim Lawson 3g 1a




















2nd Star:
#16 Mark Bochner 1g














3rd Star
#13 Mike Gilber, Jr

Next Game Wednesday 4/23 v Bears 10:15

versus

With Playoffs in Sight-Bombers Rout Chatham

In a closed door meeting before he headed down south for the Spring Meetings, the GM stressed the importance of the next game v the Chatham Coaches. The Coaches were of course also fighting for the last playoff spot and a loss would certainly end any hopes for a Bomber postseason.

Whether it was a little inspirational "magic" or just good hard work the 5-1 victory was just what the Bombers needed. LW Tony D'anna summed it up best by stating it was "a solid effort all around!" Strong goaltending, sharp passing and 3 goals from the blueline exepemlified this point.

Defenseman Adam Lapinski scored his first of 2 on night, just 37 seconds into the game. The goal, his first as a Bomber, was assisted by Neil Vanderhorn who said "That's probably just the first in what should be a long Bomber career."

Later in that same period Dave Bochner and Mike Gilbert, Jr, playing foward for the first time in many games, scored 31 seconds apart. Chatham never recovered, managing only to break the shutout with a goal in the third.

The Bombers scored once in the second on Lapinski's second goal of the game and once in the third on Dave Smith's first of the season.

The playoff push continues next Wednesday when the Bombers take on the Bears-gametime 10:15.


State Electric "Power Performers" of the Game
as voted by the local beat reporters





















First Star:
#15 Adam Lapinski Goals #1&2 as a Bomber















Second Star:#29 Josh Burke





















Third Star:
#5 Neil "the machine" Van der horn 2assists

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
1st Period:
#15 Lapinski assited by #5 Van der horn
#61 D.Bochner
#13 Gilbert, Jr assited by #44 Oldendorp and #29 Burke
2nd Period:
#15 Lapinski
3rd Period:
#22 Smith assisted by #4 Van der horn

Penalties:
1st Period:
#29 Burke 2min Trip
2nd Period:
#22 Smith 2min Hook
3rd Period:
none

Next Game Wed 4/16 10:15pm v Chatham Coaches

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Bombers Lose to Mounties

The Bombers playoff hopes took a double hit as the high powered Shamrocks lost to playoff hopeful Chatham prior to the Bombers losing to 5-3 to the Mountaineers.

The Bombers played a hard fought game but could not come back from 3 Mountie goals in the first 7 minutes.

Bombers Keep Playoffs Hope Alive

The Bombers kept their slim playoffs hope alive with a 4-3 victory over the Metro Fire on Wednesday. The Bombers got a goal each from Bill Auld and Mark Bochner to go with the 2 scored by Jim Lawson.

The victory marked the Bombers second over Metro this season and that may become important as both clubs may just well be playing for the last playoff spot in the C division.

Next up-the Mountaineers Sunday 4/13.

State Electric Power Performers of the Game


1st Star
Mark Bochner 1g (as awarded by BA)














2nd Star
Jim Lawson 2g (as awarded by JR)





















3rd Star
Rober' Auld (as awarded by JL)




















Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
1st Period:
#16 D.Bochner from #0 B.Auld
2nd Period:
#18 Lawson from #33 D'anna
#0 Auld from #6 Moss
3rd Period:
#18 Lawson from #33 D'anna

Penalties:
1st Period:
#33 D'anna 2min Crosscheck
2nd Period:
#18 Lawson 2min Interf.
#33 D'anna 2min Rough
#33 D'anna 2min Unsports.
#22 Smith 2min Hold
3rd Period:
#33 D'anna 2min Hook
#61 D.Bochner 2min Rough

Bombers Proving to be Best 2 Period Team in League

The Bombers had the 1st place Bears right where they wanted them. The storied franchise was down 3-2 after 2 periods but were cleary outworking their opponents. Then they played the third period and for the second game lost any advantage they had in the final stanza. An empty net goal for the Bears left the final score at 6-3.

Next up-the Metro Fire on Wednesday.

Next Game: Bombers v Bears 4/7 10:15pm

VERSUS

Bombers Have Nothing for Last Place Chatham

The Bomber's difficult winter season took another hit as they lost to then last place Chatham Coaches by a 5-1 score. 4 third period goals by Chatham gave them the victory while placing the Bombers in the C-leage cellar.

Next Game: Bombers v Chatham Coaches 4/6 10pm

VERSUS