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)

Shamrocks Lose Cool and Game

The Bombers found themselves down by a 3-1 score early in the third period of their game against the Shamrocks.  The contest, billed as a rematch of the 2012 FW Finals, which the Bombers lost in 3 games, was a friendly contest until the Shamrock's Jarrett Quick decided to change all that-setting his team on the short end of a penalty kill and eventually the short end of the contest.  Quick inexplicably played with an aggressive check while going for a puck on the halfboards.  The Bombers Tony D'anna was the recepient of not only the check, but also some verbal barbs prior to being victim to that oh so unsporstmanlike play-the slew foot.  (Insert your own Loop joke here)

D'anna was of course taken by surprise by the play but surprisingly was uninjured on the play.  Quick was ejected from the game and the Bombers were able to capitlize on the 5 minute major power play on a goal by either John Zimnoch or Mike Gilbert, Jr.  I waited so long to write this I can't remember which one but no worries one of them eventually scored the tieing goal-unless it was Bill Auld who also had a goal on the night.  Either way, the game was tied after regulation and a shootout would decide the contest.  Josh Burke was his usual stellar shootout defending self and denied all three Shamrock shooters while the Bomber capt was able to net the only goal they needed in the shootout. 

Next up for the Bombers-a chance to extend their recent winning streak agains the Admirals.

State Electric Power Performers of the Game:














1st Star:  Josh Burke-perfect in shooutout-stellar during the game.















2nd Star:  John Zimnoch-1g 1a














3rd Star: Mike Gilbert, Jr- 1g 1a

Scott Lundeen may have broken into the top three stars but I still don't have any pictures of him so what's the point really.  I'll bring the camera next game Scotty-even though I know you're camera shy.

D'anna Equals Hooray

Tony D'anna made his triumphant return from injury in a hard fought contest with the Predators at the state of the art Bridgewater Sports Arena.  The Bombers lost a thriller by a 6-5 score but the fan base and Bomber players and management only dwelled on the positive-the return of #33 to the lineup.  Tony D'anna is in the top 8 in every Bomber career statistic including being 5th in assists with 128 and 3rd in penalty minutes with 233 (only 4 minors away from 2nd place Brian Kostrowski but a distant 347 minutes away from category leader Bill Auld).  "It felt good to be out there.  Knee seemed fine.  I missed it as much as they said they missed me.  Probably more."  said D'anna after the game.  D'anna had missed all Bomber contests since being forced out with injury on April 24th contest with the Puck Pimps in which he tallied two scores. "It's great to have him back.  We were less "The Bombers" without him." noted the Bomber GM.

The game saw the Bombers and Predators playing a back and forth affair-one that the Bombers were able to stay close but not able to take a lead.  With the Bomber net empty the last 45 seconds proved to be exciting for the capacity crowd, with numerous Bomber chances thwarted by the skilled Predator defense.

Next up for the Bombers-a showdown with the Shamrocks and a long awaited rematch from the 2011 Fall/Winter BSA Championship Finals.

Bombers Get All Pimped Out

The Bombers put a hurtin' on the Puck Pimps in a late night affair at the fashionable Bridgewater Sports Arena's blue rink.  The line of Lundeen, Zimnoch, and Kappmeirer was the story of the evening.  John Zimnoch, who moved up to the foward lines, scored 3 goals and 2 assists to earn First Star honors.  Scott Lundeen had a goal and 4 assists to notch his own 5 point night and 2nd Star honors and Kyle "Zippo" Kappmeir earned the Third star with 2 goals and 2 assists.  In total the entire line had 14 points on the eveining. 

Lupe' Returns-BSA Reopens-Ice Still Sucks

The Bombers were anxious to return to the ice on Monday to face off against cross town rivals the Whalers.  Bridgewater Sports Arena was open again after nearly 3 weeks off due to the effects of hurricane Sandy.  The time of and potential melting away of the old ice was a welcome concept to all that have recently skated on the surface prior to the storm.  Theory being that the time off would allow the staff at BSA to make improvements to the ice surface.  Josh Burke quickly dispelled that notion when he went to his goal crease and noticed the colored plastic goal crease was sticking up through the ice making it impossible as well as unsafe to skate within the crease-a spot for a goalie they spend just a tad amount of time in.  A makeshift repair was made delaying the game nearly 15 minutes and both goalies looked tentative nonetheless when it was their turn to defend the net in question.  But, of course the game went on-player safety being only a more of a wish than an neccesity at BSA.

The other big news of the evening was the return of Lupe' Poltorak from the month long exile that he was forced to take after the unfortante incident in the Bombers last Whaler contest that saw a misplaced Lupe' stick assist on what turned out to be a physics nightmare for the arm of one big boned (but not apparantly big boned enough) Whaler forward.  Word soon got to the Bomber bench that the Whaler in question was afforded a great surgeon and repair of his broken arm seemed to have a full recovery prognosis in due time.  A relief for Lupe who felt badly about the incident even though he had no intention to hurt his opponent. 

So, how ironic it was the Whalers who the Bombers were to play in Lupe's return.  Perhaps motivated by their comrade, the Whalers built a 5-0 lead that the Bombers were only able to finish out with a final 6-3 loss.  The Whalers employed a checking strategy early that earned the ire of one Bomber who found the box with a loudly heard slash against the shinpads of the offending Whaler that resulted in a slashing minor.  A retaliation check later in the contest was accepted later on by number 0 as was the ensuing power play.  As has been the case in many a Bomber man advantage the powere play resulted in a shorthanded goal against. 

Next up for the Bombers, a 9:40 pm matinee vs the Puck Pimps on Sunday November 25th.

Bomber Box Score:

Goals:

Russotti (1)

Lupe (2)

B.Auld (5)

Assists:

Zimnoch

Rober'

Hoyer