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
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