Bombers Fall in Overtime Thriller

The Bombers and the Smoke's two regular season contests were both 4-3 shootout wins-with each team claiming a victory. Wednesday's first round playoff matchup was more of the same-the only difference being the score (3-2) and the fact that there is no shootout in the championship double elimination tournament.

Overtime would be needed in a game that started much like a chess match in the early going-each team feeling each other out. The Bomber's Jean Eric Hoyer' scored first, breaking the 0-0 tie at 3:07 of the second but the Smoke's Dan Nolan tied it up with just under 4 minutes in the period.

The third period saw the Bombers again take the lead off the patented R.Auld to B.Auld left side offensive zone faceoff play. A late miscue by the Bombers allowed the Smoke's John Kraly to come in alone on netminder Josh Burke, scoring to tie the contest with more than 6 minutes remaining in regulation.

Josh Burke save the day for the at least a moment a by executing a fancy flying pad save with seconds remaining in the game,keeping the game notted at two. "Josh was the first star of the game for either team. He was on his game." noted Bomber utility man Neil Van Der Horn.

The overtime format of 5 minutes of 4 on 4 followed by 3 on 3 action until a winner was determined was marred by 34 minutes in penalties for both clubs. A big blow was dealt to the storied franchise when Brian Kostrowski recieved his 4th penalty of the game-which comes with it an automatic game misconduct. To add insult to injury both Tony D'anna and Bill Auld were off for much of the overtime-each being assessed separate 10 minute misconduct penalties.

But the Bombers stood tall dominating play with the open ice. But late into the 3 on 3 portion of overtime, John Kraly again found himself in the clear and scored the game winner after who knows how many minutes of extra time.

The loss puts the Bombers in the loser's bracket-a position that vaulted them to the finals in last year's double elimination playoffs.

State Electric Power Performer of the Game:

1st Star: Josh Burke

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:
Hoyer' (31)
B.Auld (25)

Assists:
Junior
Rober'