Bombers Contain Fire 6-5

"Winning is better than losing" said Bomber forward Bob Calvano after his team's 6-5 victory over the Metro Fire. After losing the first three contests of the winter season, the win gave the organization some mojo for the remaining schedule.

Mike Gilbert Sr commented "The trap worked again." Bill Auld added" I think trapping actually helps us more offensively than defensively. Plus it allows us to finish out games."

Having Eric Hoyer, an emergency call up from the Valley Major Minor League, score a hat trick in his first official game with the big club didn't hurt either. "I'm not used to this. We don't even have refs in our league. I'm glad I could help." said Hoyer. "Silkie (Hoyer) did a great job for us. Hat trick in your first game. I am sure his folks are thrilled." noted Superstar Johnny Z who himself had 2 goals and 1 assist on the evening.

The Bochner boys, Dave and Mark, also brought their A-game contributing with 5 points on the night-3 from Dave and 2 from Mark.

The only blemish on the evening was an ill advised penalty late in the game from Mark Bochner. Mark now has a whopping 33% of the entire team's penalty minutes this season and it has been reported that he has been informed by ownership that he needs to keep his emotions in check.

Next up for the Bombers-a Feb 28, 9pm matchup with the expansion Penguins.

State Electric Power Performers of the Game:

First Star:
Eric "Silkie" Hoyer 3g

Second Star:
Superstar Johnny Z 2g 1a

Third Star:
Dave Bochner 1g 2a


Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
Hoyer (1,2,3)
Zimnoch (3,4)
D.Bochner (2)

Assists:
M.Bochner 2
D.Bochner 2
B.Auld
Zimnoch


Rumors ran rampant after the game when Bomber management was seen speaking to the player agent that represents Hoyer. Can this be more than a one game assignment? Time will tell.

Junior's Recovery Ahead of Schedule

Mike "JR" Gilbert met with team orthopedists today and found out his bum wheel is nearly one month ahead of schedule in terms of recovery. The head of Junior's medical staff, gynecologist Dr. Delores Juniorisagirl, said that #13 should be back skating mid March.

"I should be playing competitive hockey by early May at the latest." said Gilbert,Jr. This comes as a shock to Bomber manangement because Jr was unable to play competitive hockey prior to the injury. "An unintended benefit of the surgery" noted Bomber President of Hockey Operations-Mike Rosenberg.

Bomber fans now only need to wait for a few more months for the the return of their second favorite Gilbert.

See you in May, Junior!! Can't wait!

Bombers Lose to Bears

When the Bombers and Bears have met in the past bets were often placed not on the score of the game but the over/under on penalty minutes. But with 2 contests between the clubs in the books for the Winter 2010 season there have been a total of zero penalty minutes by either club.

The Bears commented that they were going to be a "kindler, gentler" team in the new season. Ironically that was the very same mission statement the Bombers used a few seasons back to change their image.

The Bears still beat up the Bombers- this time on the scoreboard-nothching a 9-5 victory on Sunday night. 5 points by Superstar John Zimnoch and 7 Bomber skaters were not enough to give the storied franchise its first win of the season.

There's always next week agains the Metro Fire. Lets hope the whole crew can make that game.

See you then- Sunday 2/21 at 10:30pm.

"Hey-Is That Your Leg?"

That's Bomber Hockey Edition 2 by Mike Gilbert Sr.

"Hey-Is That Your Leg?"

The very first Bomber game was an eye opener in many respects, none more so than what we experienced in the locker room after that first game.

I didn’t notice him leave it there but someone pointed out that there was a leg on the floor. Only then did we see one of our wingers hop out of the shower on one leg. The other was missing below the knee. Paul was his name and like most of the guys in the room I really didn’t know that much about him.

Over the course of the season we all came to admire and appreciate what kind of player Paul was. Yea, he wasn’t the fastest, nor was changing direction his strong point. What he did though, was to give 110% every game. You didn’t hear him complain about it too much but you knew it was a struggle every time he took to the ice. It was a little incongruous seeing him park in the handicapped spot and carry his bag into the rink!

One night will be remembered for a long time. That was the night Paul lost his leg. Like I noted earlier, turning was difficult for Paul. The puck went into the corner with Paul in hot pursuit. Just as he was trying to turn he was hit by an opponent and he went into a corkscrewing crash. Obviously he was a little shook up as he lay on the ice. The referee skated over and immediately freaked out and turned white. “Don’t touch him!!!” he yelled, not knowing about Paul’s missing leg. It turns out that Paul’s prosthesis had come undone and his leg appeared to be broken and twisted in an impossible angle. I remember skating over to check him out and he seemed OK. He knew his leg had come off and just needed a little help to get back to the bench. We brushed the referee back and I held Paul up on one side and got him to his foot. Someone handed him his prosthesis with the skate attached to it and we skated back to the bench. On the way, he waved his leg at the other team and taunted them a little. Paul taped his leg back on and completed the game, none the worse for the wear!

So next time your hip, knee, ankle, wrist, ribs, shoulder, etc is a little sore, just suck it up and be thankful you get to play Bomber Hockey!

By Mike Gilbert, Sr.