In a rematch of their last playoff game, the Bombers took the ice against the Spartans. Already behind the 8-ball with a severely depleted 6 skater roster, the Bombers, led by stalwart in goal Josh Burke, battled the Spartans in their usual manner, with both sides playing to a scoreless tie at the end of the first period. Led by Mike Gilbert Sr., the defensive pair of he and Brian Kostrowski blocked shots and battled away with the pesky Spartan players.
Less than 3 minutes into the second period, Superstar John Zimnoch, playing forward for the depleted Bomber squad, took a feed from Mike Gilbert Jr. to give the visiting Bombers the lead. 1:17 later, off another feed from Jr., French Canadian Import, Jean Eric Hoyer tallied the Bombers' second goal, staking them to a 2-0 lead. Both goals were also assisted upon by Dave Bochner. The Bombers continued to play their shutdown defensive system and frustrated the Spartans until 1:48 remained in the second period. On a controversial play, so controversial that the scorekeeper was unable to provide a jersey number for the Spartan scorer, the Spartan's benefited from a screened referee, who despite never seeing the puck actually cross the goal line, awarded them their first goal much to the dismay of Bomber goalie Josh Burke. Perhaps it was the clear kicking motion displayed by the Spartan player, or the out of position official, or maybe even the puck never crossing the goal line, but the Bomber keeper was so incensed by the call, that he derided the referee and his zebra pattern thong to the tune of a 2 minute unsportsmanlike penalty. Served by Mike Gilbert Sr., the Bombers shut down the Spartans, finishing the period with a 2-1 Bomber lead. After the game, Jean Eric Hoyer recounted the play that got under Burke's skin. "I had one of their (Spartan) players actually approach me to say the puck was kicked by their guy, and that it had never gone in".
The third period featured two clearly tired teams, as the undermanned Bomber squad took on a Spartan team featuring three more skaters than the Bombers. On a play personifying their spent skating legs, the Bombers allowed a partial breakaway to the Spartans' Mike Vagisilian, who fired a shot that grazed Burke's skate and went in. Still clearly incensed by the missed call by the thong clad referee, Burke refocused himself and shut down the remaining Spartan attack, to the tune of 21 saves for the game. Despite a strong Bomber attack, featuring Jean Eric Hoyer, Dave Bochner, John Zimnoch and Mike Gilbert, Jr., the game ended at 2-2.
To the shootout they went - the home team Spartans elected to shoot first against Josh Burkibulin aka The Burklin Wall. The first Spartan shooter met Burke's glove hand, as the keeper deflected the puck away. The Bombers first shooter, Hoyer, displayed the talent that garnered him his recent lucrative contract with a hard shot that beat the Spartan goalie high to his glove side. Hoyer, with a Zorro-esque sword motion after the goal, commented on the bench that, "I made a conscious effort to just shoot the puck, no dekeing" The Bombers could not have been happier with that decision. Hoyer's goal turned out to be the only shootout goal that they needed, as Burke stonewalled the last two Spartan shooters. The Bombers, now 3-0 on the young season, will look to continue their hard word in their next game versus the Voodoo on Sunday, 10/10.
State Electric Power Performers of the Game
1st Star:
Jean Eric Hoyer, 1 goal and shootout winner
2nd Star:
.JPG)
Josh Burke, 21 saves, 3 for 3 on shootout chances against
3rd Star:
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Mike Gilbert, Sr., Multiple blocked shots and played 43 of 45 minutes (served Burke's minor penalty)
Game Notes:
- Bomber regulars, Bill Auld, Rober' Auld, and Tony D'Anna were all scratches with what management termed, "Linkitis". Captain Bill Auld reported that all three players were given a fit bill of health and would've played had it not been for a late flight back from the Orlando Linkitis health and wellness center.
- Overheard during the game was the referee predicting a Bomber short handed goal to win the game in the 3rd period.
- Same referee awarded checking penalty to Brian Kostrowski for leveling Spartan player, who skated into Kostrowski, drawing the penalty, despite a shocked BK.
Bomber Box Score:
Goals:
Zimnoch (2)
Hoyer' (6)
Assist:
Gilbert, Jr-2
D.Bochner 2
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