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.