TOTALLY TRIUMPHANT TWO-TRICK TUESDAY

by Zippo Heltheescratz-Bomber beat reporter
Bombers ride pair of hat tricks from Hoyer and D'Anna in 7-3 win against the Predators 

Alliteration aside, the renowned Bomber Hockey Club took to the ice last Tuesday in what was poised as must-see rematch against the pesky Predators. With the Predators again dressing their backup goaltender – who last game proved to be quite agile – the Bombers knew that this would be no cakewalk. Moreover, with just six skaters, the Bombers already had an uphill battle ahead of them.

But, as history has proved, the Bombers find resiliency in filing out of the locker room shorthanded and would rise to the occasion once again. With the captain rolling the J-line (Junior and JZ) on D for the full 45 minutes and rotating four forwards, the Bombers quickly found a groove that would stick with them throughout the game, one that would lead to serious goal production and great hockey senses spewing from every orifice of those wearing the sweater.

Most significant Tuesday night, would be a Bomber double hat trick, thanks to the play of D’Anna #33 and Jean Eric #27, who each buried the biscuit three times (that’s tres veces for Lupe and his Latin American friends and family). It was D’Anna’s first three of the season, while number 22, 23 and 24 on the season for Hoyer.

BSA staff attend to the ice following Bombers' second hat trick of the evening.

“When you’re in the zone, there’s no knocking you out of it,” said D’Anna. “Hoyer and I just found ourselves in the right spot every time – it couldn’t have been done without stellar play from the rest of the forwards and our D either. They put the puck right on our tape – made it simple. It was a great night to be a Bomber.”

When asked about his seven point night, and his approaching a 50 point season, Hoyer shifted gears and praised the performance of his line mates.  “Although I am kicking ass and making this look REAL easy, this isn’t a one-man show. This is a club that finds success in our ranks – it’s about camaraderie. No ONE Bomber looks for praise – that’s not who we are.”

A score of 7-3 would made make one think it was an easy night for the organization, but it was far from it. The Predators skated quite well, but had difficulty holding their blue line and digging the puck out of the corners in their own zone. Overpowered and out played, the Predators defense relied heavily on their goaltender, who once again stood on his head and any other extremity to make saves that defied the hockey gods. Bomber forward and beat writer, #77 healthy scratch, was again denied on several attempts – comparable to Lupe’s application for citizenship.

Next up for the Bombers are the Mastadons Monday night at 10:50 PM – a B2 team that the organization last played in October 2012 (Bombers Stand Tall Against Mastadons)

Stars of the Game:

Jean Eric Hoyer #27

Tony D’Anna #33

John Zimnoch #10

LEGENDS’ RETURN PUTS BOMBERS BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN, KNOCKING OFF PREDATORS 5-3

by Zippo Heltheescratz-Bomber beat reporter

With the blue rink ice already cut, frozen (well as frozen as it could ever get) and ready for some hockey that theoretically could have been played an hour earlier (thanks for that genius scheduling Bridgewater Sports Arena), you couldn't help but feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you entered the rink. Something remarkable was about to happen.

Without the illustrious team’s knowledge, there, warming the pine in locker room one was #20, Bobby Calvano! As Bombers filed into the room, a series of “Holy Shits,” “No Ways” and “Son of a Bitch” flowed freely from the mouths of the veterans of the hockey club as they saw Bobby in the corner, while Healthy Scratch #77 was yet again, introduced to one of the greats.

“Ya never know what to expect, say or do, for that matter, when you go to shake their hand,” said Kappmeier, #77. “In my short Bomber career, I've been privileged to meet so many legends that have come forth from this hockey club - hell, it was Senior who inspired my #! Just being able to play with them on the ice is incomparable – something I’ll tell my grand-kids about, and when there’s more than one present on the ice, you just know it’s going to be a great night.”

And more than one there was Tuesday night as the Bombers also welcomed back the illustrious #33, D’Anna, who joined Calvano and the Captain as Bomber old-timers. Right from the locker room, the organization was off to a one hell of a start, one the Bombers definitely needed coming off of a three game losing streak.

Suited up in their alternate blues, the Bombers took to the ice needing a win and rolled five forwards and two D against a Predator squad that was evenly matched and has proven to be a handful in the past. It was a combination that seemed to work just fine as the organization jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Predators slowly settled in to keep it a dead even match. Of course, to everyone’s surprise, Brian "fashionably late" Kostrowski made an appearance with roughly 7 minutes left in the first period, adding another D man to the rotation, which ultimately helped sparked some much needed scoring, including from Kostrowski himself. Needless to say, the referees also welcomed Kostrowski to the ice dishing out a few more PIMS to his team leading season total of 22.

Once the Bombers found their groove, passes were crisp, shots were plenty and focus was razor sharp. Bombers saw Jean Eric and JZ continue their neck and neck battle for Bombers points leader with two goals for #27 and one goal for #10, while the captain was able to put one past the Predator’s netminder, who stood his ground quite well, shutting the door countless times on Healthy Scratch, #77, who can't buy a goal as of late, even with BSA gift card and a fist full of fifties.

The Bombers next game is February 19^th against the same Predator squad – tickets are on sale now through StubHub or Ticketmaster.com

Stars of the Game:

1- Jean Eric Hoyer #27

2- John Zimnoch #10

3- Bobby Calvano - #20

Ok, So I've Been Busy . . .

My apologies to you faithful followers of the Bomber Blog.  Our crack reporter has been a bit busy lately and he looks to get back on schedule with regular updates soon.  Bomber management is also proud to announce they have hired a new contributor to the blog-look for reports soon from Zippo D. Kap (also known as the "Healthy Scratch").

But first things first- Let's get you up to speed.  Our followers were last updated on the slew foot Shamrock contest that the Bombers won 4-3 in a shootout.  Since then the Bombers have gone 3-4 with two wins versus the Admirals by 10-4 and 4-3 scores and a win vs the Smoke.  Two of the losses have come while skating with a short bench -one a shootout loss vs the Storm and one by 2-1 game vs the Smoke where the Bombers had no subs.  The other losses were a 5-3 dismissal during a rematch with the Shamrocks and 12-4 loss to the high flying Vudoo.

That's the basics but here are some other tidbits to keep you interested.

*Jean Eric Hoyer' has 9g and 7a in the 7game span.
*The Vudoo, who should most definately be in this league, scored 12 goals on the organization on Dec 19.
*Brian Kostrowski has made 3 of the 7 games-only showing up in the games he did not confirm he'd be there. One of the games he did play saw him tally 16 penalty minutes in 3 shifts of play before being ejected in the 12-4 Vudoo loss. Although it could not be verified, Bomber historians think that is some kind of record. 
*Greg Russotti and Rober' Auld are both on the DL for the entire stretch of games and their return is undetermined with what has been described in both cases as udisclosed upper body injurys.
*Superstar Johnny Z had an 8pt night (2g,6a) in a 10-4 thrashing of the Admirals.
*The Brothers Bochner, Mark and Dave made a surprise visit in the 5-3 Shamrock loss.  Mark had 1g and 1a while Dave added a helper of his own.

*Bomber Stars of the Game for the 3 victories:

12/16 10-4 win v Admirals
1st Star: John Zimnoch 2g 6a
2nd Star:  Jean Eric Hoyer 4g 1a
3rd Star: Scott Lundeen 1g 4a

1/6 v 4-3 win v Admirals
1st Star: Josh Burke
2nd Star: Jean Eric Hoyer 2g 1a
3rd Star: Lupe Poltorak 1a

1/14 6-5 win v Storm
1st Star: Jean Eric Hoyer 3g
2nd Star:  Junior 1g 1a
3rd Star: Kappmeier (healthy scratch)