Bruce Driver and RVHFH say "Thanks Bombers"

Lisa Fielding of the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity and Bruce Driver of the Devils Alumni Association took time to personally thank the Bomber Hockey Club for their effort in this year's fifth annual Charity Hockey Classic. "Thanks Bombers, keep skating!" was the comment from Bruce Driver suggesting at the same time the possiblity for future Charity Hockey Classics.

Prior to the start of the game the Bombers aknowledged one of their own by retiring the #2 jersey of Jimmy Black who had passed away in January. Jim's brother Tom and his father were present to accept the jersey and a plaque signed by all of the current Bombers. Jimmy's neice and nephew then dropped the puck to officially start the contest.

Aaron Broten, a NJ Devil hero from the Green and Red days, started the scoring a mere 38 seconds into the game. The boisterous Devil Alumni fan faithful were then treated to continued high caliber skill all afternoon.



The Devil Alumni scored a 12-8 victory-their fifth in a row against the Bombers. Big stars like Aaron Broten, Brian Mullen and Ken Daneyko scored some dazzling goals off Globetrotteresque passing from fellow alumni Grant Marshall, Rob Skrlac and Bruce Driver. The crowd enthusiastically voiced their approval and sounded entertained the entire afternoon.



The Bombers did manage eight goals on the evening serving notice to their fans that they would give it their all. Stay at home defensemen Dave Smith elected to shoot instead of pass and got his first goal in a Charity Hockey Classic with a sniper like five whole wrister.

Rober' Auld also scored his first Charity Classic goal, much to the thrill of the crowd and the Bomber bench. Rober's goal came off a pass from his friend and linemate, Gary Simpson. The goal, a third period wrister from the high slot, was a highlight for #14 in what is now a 17 year Bomber career.

Bombers highlights also included a goal off a crazy, mad skill, sick deke from Superstar Johnny Z, another 2 goals from Rich Moss (bringing his goal total against the Devils to "a lot"), a one time slapper from Rosenberg, a goal off the foot of the Captain and one by TD on 15 on 5 man adavantage situation during the last minute of play.





But the Devils crowd pleasing 2 man cherry picking aproach proved too much for the Bombers in the end. Noted Bomber Neil Van der horn "Basically they could play us 3 on 5 in their own zone anyway-it didn't really matter if they put 2 guys on the opposite blue line."

So as is always the case the Devil Alumni won the game but the charity came out on top at the end of the day. Final numbers are not in yet from RVHFH, and although not a strong as last year Stanley Cup event, they were still promising-especially for a 75 degree first day of spring. The money collected is almost certain to push the Bombers career fundraising totals past the $50,000 mark and help provide affordable housing for those in need.

As was said earlier, thanks were passed around liberally to the Bombers on this day, but the real thanks belongs to The Devil Alumni and all those who supported Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity by attending the event.

That's Bomber Hockey episode 3

On the eve of our fifth Devils/Bombers classic, I am still reminded of the eve of our first Devils/Bombers game. My excitement to play in a game with actual Devils players was a dream that I thought would never happen. At my age, I thought the chances of the Bombers playing a game like that before I was too old to play anymore were slim at best.

I had seen Bill play in a game against the Devils a few years back, and it looked like so much fun that I would give anything for that opportunity. So as the team met for a pre-game dinner the night before, I felt that the reality of my Bomber moment was finally here.

Little did I know that that night was to turn out to be MY "That's Bomber Hockey" moment, and the Devil game just the gravy. It is an understatement to say that when Tony stood up and gave a speech about how I epitomized Bomber Hockey by my play, inspiring others on the team, I was honored, humbled and speechless. And for the team to decide to put the “C” on my jersey, I just couldn’t believe it. Me- the “old guy” with the least talent to be recognized like that is a moment I will never forget. With all the games played, all the Bombers/Devils Classics-that was by far the highlight of my Bomber career. And I truly thank all the Bombers for that memory-to me THAT’S BOMBER HOCKEY

By Rober' Auld

Mr. Devil-Legend Ken Daneyko In Charity Hockey Classic

20 year NJ veteran and NJ Devil Icon-a member of all three NJ Devil Stanley Cup championship teams whose #3 hangs in the rafters of the Prudential Center will be playing in the Charity Hockey Classic on Saturday 1pm at the Bridgewater Sports Arena.

Daneyko usually scores big against the Bombers, notching 7 goals in the 2006 contest.
Come on down and see the NJ Devil legend.

Brian Mullen Helps Out his Devil Comrades

Brian Mullen is an 11 year NHL veteran and winner of the Lester Patrick Award to honor contribution to ice hockey in the United states. Brian played for the New York Rangers from 1987-1991 but will help out his Devil Alumni friends in trying to beat the Bombers in the much anticipated Charity Hockey Classic to be held Saturday March 20th 1pm at Bridgewater Sports Arena.

Bruce Driver To Lead Devil Alumni

Devil icon and former captain who played for 12 seasons with the club and won a Stanley Cup with them in 1995 will lead his NJ Devil Alumni against the Bomber Hockey Club this Saturday 1pm at the Bridgewater Sports Arena. Driver has worked tirelessly with the Bombers over the past 5 years to create the Charity Hockey Classic that helps benefit worthy causes. This year he will do it again all while taking another bite out of the Bomber Hockey Club. Proceeds for the day's event will benefit Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The Big Man- Rob Skrlac Gearing up for Bomber Game

Count Rob Skrlac in on the fray this Saturday 1pm at the Bridgewater Sports Arena. Rob, a 9 year veteran of the NJ Devil organization, and frequent Charity Hockey Classic participant will bring his 6'5" menancing frame and cannon shot to face the Bombers.

Grant Marshall to Battle Bombers

Grant Marshall was drafted 23rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Marshall has played 624 career NHL games, scoring 84 goals and 130 assists for 214 points. He name was engraved on the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 as well as your New Jersey Devils in 2003. He scored the series-clinching goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning in triple overtime. He also assisted on Jeff Friesen's series clinching goal in the following round.

Another Legend to Play in Charity Hockey Classic

Aaron Broten has signed on to play in Saturday's Charity Hockey Classic at Bridgewater Sports Arena-(1pm Game Time). Originally drafted by the Rockies in 1980,Aaron made the move with the team to NJ and played for the Devils from 1982-1990. He scored the first playoff hat trick in Devils history in Game 2 of the Patrick finals.

Broten, who was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, scored 147 goals and 283 points for 430 points in 581 games with New Jersey.

Bombers Win Convincingly

The Bomber Hockey Club beat the Chiefs on Sunday with a convincing 6-2 victory. "I'm dumbfounded how well we played." said Bomber Tony D'anna. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Bombers fought back and never trailed again in the game. 4 points from Mark Bochner (2g, 2a) and 2 more points from his brother Dave (1g,1a) were more than enough for the Bombers to get their second win of the season.

"It gives us nice momentum to go into the Devil game with on Saturday." said defensmen Dave Smith. The Bombers also got goals from Tony D'anna, Bill Auld, and Eric Hoyer.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

M.Bochner (4,5)
D.Bochner (3)
D'anna (2)
B.Auld (5)
Hoyer (6)

Assists:

M.Bochner -2
D.Bochner
Calvano
B.Auld
Simpson

State Electric Power Performers of the Game

1st Star: Mark Bochner 2g 2a




2nd Star: Dave Bochner 1g 1a





3rd Star: Mike Gilbert, SR




Game Notes:

Another callup from the Valley Major Minor league worked out as Kyle got his first win as a Bomber, substituting for Josh who was away for personnel reasons.

Bob Calvano had dead aim on Tony D'anna shooting one shot off TD's stick for D'anna's first period goal. Later on in the contest Calvano again hit D'anna with a shot-this time just injuring his hand on the play.

Eric Hoyer quietly scored his sixth goal in 4 games.

Big Game Approaching

The Bombers will use their contest with the Chiefs on Sunday as a tune up for the much anticipated matchup with the NJ Devil Alumni to be held the following Saturday.

"We can't wait. Our 5th Charity Hockey Classic, seems unbelievable." said Bomber Bill Auld. The Bombers have raised nearly $50,000 for charity in the previous events and hope to substantially add to that tally this year. Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity will be the beneficiary of the event for the second year in a row.

Bombers Welcome Back Players and the Penalty Box

The Bombers welcomed back some needed skill when Neil and Big G returned from parts unknown. The Bombers were also welcomed back to the penalty box, being accessed with 32 penalty minutes on the evening.

Reacting to his 10 minute misconduct penalty which effectively ending his evening, Bomber winger Tony D'anna commented "He (the ref) told me not to say another word- I said I wouldn't. I guess I should have looked at the fine print when I agreed to his demands."

When the Bomber captain called a timeout to question the D'anna infraction, he was promptly shown the door. "Guys were cross checking each other all night on both teams and we get tossed for our soft spoken nature." noted #0.

But boy did they look good-the Bombers choosing to don their new Charity Hockey Classic jerseys. "Wow, sharp" said Rich Moss.

So the win streak was stopped at one and the Bombers need to find their stride with only one game remaining before their epic matchup with the Devil Alumni on Saturday March 20th.


Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

Simpson (1)

Assists:

Rosenberg