Fab Five Fight Fearlessly

And then there were five.

Five skaters that is-defensemen Brian and Sr, forwards Mike R, Bobby and Bill fronting for the courageous Burke in goal. That's all the Bombers had vs the Chiefs on Sunday. Well, they had that and a plan. Despite eventually losing by a 7-6 score, the plan may have given the Bombers an idea of how to approach their remaining schedule.

With no substitutes to look to on the bench, neccessity dictated the Bombers institute a conseravite trapping system. The strategy discussed in pregame was to employ a counter punching 'one man forecheck-four men in the neutral zone' conservative approach designed to save energy. It turned out to also provide the Bombers with time, space and opportunity they have yet to see in the 2009 Winter season.

The strategy almost paid dividends immediately. A mere 20 seconds into the game Bobby C. stole a cross ice pass and went in against a surprised and out of position Chief goatender. The shot missed the mark but gave immediate credibility to Bombers chosen plan of attack. The Bombers corralled the Chiefs the entire first period and outshot their surprised opponents. A screened shot from the high slot was the only Bomber misuce in the first and after taking their first rest during intermission the Fab Five were confident they could erase the 1-0 deficet.

The second period was more of the same. Counter punching the Chief attack again and again had the Bombers tied with the Chiefs midway through the second on goals by Kostrowski and Calvano. Perhaps feeling some of the effects associated with what at that time was a 35 minute shift, the Bombers did make 2 misplays in the end of the second, leaving them behind 4-2 going into the third.

And during the third period, the Bomber quintet of skaters found more energy than should be expected -scoring 4 in the final stanza. But in an effort to close the gap the Bombers took more chances that resulted in goalmouth battles that left the pesky netminder unprotected on the weak side.

In the end the Bombers lost again but the lesson learned was something they will take into the remainder of the season. "We had those guys confused." said D stalwart Mike Gilbert Sr who was remarkably as fresh the last minute of the game as was the first. Bobby Calvano added "If we can play that system that well with 5 guys, imagine how we will do with a full bench."

"The time and space we had tonight allowed us to make tape to tape passes. It was fun way to play!" said Bomber RW Mike Rosenberg who scored a hatrick on the evening.

"I believe we let up less shots than normal. It was just that the scoring chances allowed were easy ones for them because we were fatigued at points. With a full crew and that effort, they wouldn't have been able to score much" said Burke.

So the Fab Five hope to pass on the excitement of the night to the returning skaters for their next contest with Bears on Sunday December 20th.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
Rosenberg (1,2,3)
B.Auld (5)
Kostrowski (5)
Calvano (4)

Assits:
B. Auld-3
Rosenberg-2