Bombers Get 2 Seed For Spring 15 Playoffs

The Bombers started slow in the spring after making it within one game of a championship the season prior.  Perhaps it was a finals hangover, the short offseason or the questions about whether the friendly confines of the Flemington rink would even exist, but the team allowed 15 goals in the first two games of the season. Losing 9-5 against the rival Aces and 6-2 versus the Mulligans was not the way it was scripted.  "It was a surprising start.  We left it all out there in the finals and didn't quite pick it up.  I certainly didn't play like I did last season in those first two games." said netminder Josh Burke.

But the Bombers know a few things about digging out of a rut and with strong goaltending by Burke, solid defense and a resurgent offense the Bombers went 9-1 the rest of the way.  The only other loss was a 5-4 nailbiter with the eventual first place Aces.  Jean Eric Hoyer and Bill Auld finished second and third in Federal league scoring with 25 and 24 points respectively.  Burke got his GAA down from 7.50 in games 1-2 to 4.00 by season's end including a shutout of the Shamrocks on June 17th.

Eric Silverman's offense was welcomed back with open arms after his hiatus in Vegas.  Rober' showed he could still be a point per game guy with 7 points in 6 games. The Bochner boys Dave and Mark impressed as a tandem, each garnering 10 points and placing pressure against the opposing defenses with their speed and agility.  Tony D'anna was limited to 4 games but scored a big goal in a surprisingly tight 7-5 win against the Regulars.

"The defense was our true strength this season" said captain Bill Auld.  This fact was certainly truth as Rob Pellegrino, Dave Smith, Johnny Z, Junior and Kyle Kappmeier held the fort for the club allowing the offense to pounce while joining in the attack when needed.  Zimnoch (14pts) and Pellegrino (10pts) led the crew in scoring but it was the protection of the net that allowed the club to make the run all the way to second place.  "Dave Smith provides the calm we need back there" said Kyle Kappmeier of the veteran.  Mike Gilbert Jr and Kappmeier also had the added responsibility of shifting to the front line when numbers and situations dictated.  "Not everyone can do that." noted Josh Burke adding "They never skipped a beat."  

The goal for the storied franchise is of course getting back to the finals and earning a different outcome.  But first they must awaits the winner of Powertime v Shamrocks to see who will be their first round matchup on Wednesday.