Burke Saves the Day

The Bombers and Shamrocks battled it out in an epic contest that was won by the Bombers by a 3-1 score. Jason Sorrentino gave the Shamrocks a first period 1-0 lead on a clever backhanded shot. John Zimnoch of the Bombers evened the score with an unnassisted slapshot tally in the second. "Jean" Eric Hoyer' put the Bombers ahead in the third but the game's pivotal play came with the Shamrock goalie pulled late in the period. After a net mouth scramble the Shamrocks TJ Eaton found a loose puck with an open net to the right of Bomber netminder Josh Burke. The game looked to be tied until Burke flung his right leg out to rob the surprised Eaton of the tying goal. An empty netter by Matt Raulf III ended the scoring. The game which only had 1 minor penalty a hard fought, fairly played contest between the two Federal league franchises.

State Electric Power Performers of the Game:

First Star:
Josh Burke-"The Save"  nuff said

Second Star:
Jean Eric Hoyer'  Game winning goal














Third Star:
Dave Smith Defense personified

Bombers Lose Back to Back

The Bombers fell to 2-6 on the season with losses to the Comeback Kids and Predators in Federal League play.  The loss to the Comeback was a close one with the score ending at 3-2.  The Predators game was dominated by the Bombers with shot totals estimated at 50-20 for the NJ's favorite franchise.  But 6-3 was the final score including an empty netter in the final minute.  The Bombers left scratching their heads on how they lost the game but took some comfort in knowing they can match up well with the league leading Predators.

Buzzards Down Bombers 8-2

Matt 3 Lights Up Lamp for 5

Whether you call him Tripps, Tre, or just plain Matt, he still can score goals.  A new edition to the Bombers this season, Tre (I'll go with that name for now) has scored 9 of the teams 21 goals this season including a 5 spot last night against the Flying Aces.  The game was won by an 11-7 score and Tre and his father Matt had 7 goals and 3 assists combined for the evening.  John Zimnoch also profited from being on the powerhouse line by getting 1 goal and 5 assists of his own. 

The Bombers trailed early against the last place Aces but managed a consistent 4goal 1st, 4goal 2nd and 3goal third period to take the game.  The club did let up 7 goals against the upstart squad but much of that was due to a ankle injured sustained by goaltender Josh Burke early in the first period.  Burke would not allow that to be an excuse but it kinda was the issue.  "I had problems dropping down to the right side which I do a lot" 

Reports from the medical staff say the swelling is already down as of Monday morning and Burke looks to be in the lineup for the team's next game against the first place Buzzards. 

State Electric Power Performers of the Game:

1st Star:
Matt Raulf III -5 goals and 1 assist (the first of the season in that category)

2nd Star
Matt Raulf Jr - 2 goals and 2 assists

3rd Star
John Zimnoch -1 goal 5 assists


 

Father-Son Fight Club

The first rule in father-son fight club is-there are no rules.  Matt Raulf Jr and Matt Raulf III had the final piece of the father son hockey playing experience fulfilled in the game versus the Shamrocks on Wednesday evening at the Aspen Ice Rink in Flemington.  "I had to jump in there, they were all taking shots at Trips."  said papa Raulf of the affair, adding"Then the guy would not get off, it was weird." All in all the Raulf's got 14 minutes in penalties which is impressive but not quite as high as some remember from past games for the Auld's,

Rober' and Bill.  "They let them off a little easy-no game misconducts." said Bill.  "I think Matt Jr was hoping for a gamer, you know, for the spirit of the whole thing.  Gotta stand up for your kid and he did a great job." 

The malay happened late in the game with the Bombers trailing by one and actually gave the Bombers a 2 minute power play after the dust settled.  But the franchise could not capitalize and lost their 3rd game of the season 5-3 against just one win.

Rosenberg Wows Crowd

Bomber legend Mike Rosenberg wowed the attending crowd by making a surprise appearance on Sunday's game versus the Predators.  Although the Bombers lost the game 5-2, Mike was sharp with many shots on goal playing with forwards Kyle Kappmeier and John Zimnoch.  "Mike said he didn't want to slow us down" noted captain Bill Auld when asked what Mike said about being added to the lineup.  "I said no,no bring on the goal scorers." 

Mike showed no rust getting off  3 shots on the very first shift.  Although he was left off the goal sheet he did have an assist on John Zimnoch's first period goal adding to his impressive Bomber career totals. Mike switched lines on the last shift and played with Rober' and Bill Auld and literally brought the crowd to his feet on a rush that saw him dissect his way through the Predator defenders off some pretty passing and deft stickhandling.  Josh Burke summed it up best  "I just hope he can play some more games this season.  Mike's the best!"

Tough Sledding v Preds

"They are a better team." commented Rober' Auld after a 5-2 loss to the Predators on Sunday.  Perhaps referring to the team that came from the BSA league that last saw the two teams play.  The Predators did indeed add some bodies with a new top line defensive tandem and referee turned forward Craig Rossi who previously only bothered the Bombers with bad calls. 

The Bombers only real problem was a soft first period that had them down 4-1 by the end of the stanza.  "We played them even the rest of the way" said keeper Josh Burke.  "It's not like us to be that soft in the first."  The Bombers were down 4 players that were in the lineup for the Comeback Kids victory, Tony D'anna, both Raulfs and Junior but they did welcome John Zimnoch back for his first regular season game in the new arena and Bomber legend Mike Rosenberg.   

The Bombers will have 10 days at the practice rink prior to their next game vs the pesky Shamrocks.  If they want to get the coveted inter-league games vs the Iron League they will have to claw their way into one of the top three spots.  Currently the Bombers are tied for 5th.