The AS CUP was up for grabs.
The Aces undefeated to this point had scored 31 goals and let up only 12.
The Bombers had a 1-2-1 record and needed to change course.
The Aces roster was made up of equal parts B leaguers and C leaguers.
The Bombers were down 4-1 early.
Look like things were set in motion for the AS Cup not to exchange hands and instead remain with the Flying Aces.
But that's why they play the games and that's why its always fun to have a D'anna on your side. "A pet peeve of mine is B leaguers poaching a C league game." said Tony D'anna after the game (and countless times in the past). But his team is of course known as the storied franchise. And the storied franchise has seen its share of comebacks. (Some of them of course were teams coming back on the Bombers, but I digress). After the slow start the Bombers started to build energy from the stellar goaltending of Josh Burke. Slowly chipping away at the lead the Bombers somehow found themselves down by only one midway through the third.
Then the good stuff happened. With 5:34 remaining, Tony D'anna scored his second of the night knotting the game at 4 apiece. The goal was exciting enough on its own but D'anna's reaction was stuff of legend. Before the puck even hit the twine a loud "SUCK IT" rang through the arena heard by all but directed to the B League poachers. "The emotion of the moment really got D'anna going. He is usually so mild mannered and soft spoken." noted Bill Auld after the game.
Regulation and OT proved to be not enough to determine a winner and the game was off to a shootout. Bomber sniper Jean Eric Hoyer' managed to light the lamp on the first salvo and the Aces were unable to do the same in their attempt resulting 5-4 victory for the good guys.
The intensity didn't stop there though. A full 20 minutes of actual time had passed since the now famous D'anna catch phrase that has since swept the nation, was uttered. But the Flying Aces netminder was still hot and was fueled by the fact he felt that the was the intended recipient of the barb. He used handshake line to interrogate the victorious Bomber squad. "WHO SAID THAT? . . .WAS IT YOUUUUUU?!!!" was all the crazed keeper could muster. "YEP, that was me" was obvious D'anna response which prompted a waffle board thrust to his chin. A few clever yaps back in forth throughout the entire line ensued and one could see that this game would only add to the lore of the ever increasing Aces v Bombers rivalry.
An guess what-the two clubs get to do it all over again in 2 weeks. This time the Bombers will be the ones with the AS Cup tucked under their arms.
State Electric Power Performers of the Game
1st Star:
Was it you? Yes it was- #33 Tony D'anna 2 goals 1a and 1 new catch phrase
2nd Star:
#29 Josh Burke
3rd Star:
#77 Kyle Kappmeier. 1 goal-extending scoring streak to 5 games.
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