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Bombers Battle Back Against Cyclones But Fall Fall 5-4

April 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


Dayton, OH- The Defending American Conference Champion Dayton Bombers, led by the game's second star Corey LeClair, would battle back from an early deficit to challenge the Division-leading Cincinnati Cyclones to an exciting 5-4 loss in front of 2,805 at the Nutter Center on Tuesday night.

For the final time this regular season, the Cyclones stepped onto the ice at the Nutter Center and made an early statement with a quick flurry of shots on Bombers goaltender Jeremy Duchesne, in his first game back from his recent stint with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL. Cincinnati capitalized on a defensive lapse in front of Duchesne at the 11:54 mark, giving Cyclones defenseman Chad Starling his second goal of the season to make it 1-0. Dayton found themselves in a similar predicament less than two minutes later, as Cyclones forward Mathieu Aubin banged home a centering pass for his 27th of the season to make it 2-0 at 13:36. Dayton, out shot in the period 9-3, would be unable to score in the first period, trailing Cincinnati 2-0 after twenty minutes.

Cincinnati started the second period with intensity, earning a penalty shot just :08 in, with Duchesne denying the attempt. Dayton stepped up its tempo as time went on, closing the shot gap with rushes towards Cyclones netminder Cody Rudkowski. Leading the charge onto the score sheet would be Bombers forward Corey LeClair with his 6th goal of the season assisted by Mike Berry and Ryan MacGreggor at 10:13 to cut the Cyclones lead to one. Cincinnati returned to their familiar form a few minutes later however, with Mathieu Aubin scoring his second goal of the night at the 13:35 mark. Nearing the end of the period, Bombers defenseman Kriss Gundmanis executed an incredible open-ice check on Cyclone Chris Ferazolli, resulting in a 15-minute delay while Ferezolli was taken off the ice by stretcher. Despite the opportunities, Dayton would remain behind Cincinnati 3-1 after forty minutes. Shots on goal favored Cincinnati in the second 13-10 for a two-period total of 22-13 Cincinnati.

Cincinnati turned on the jets to start the third period, with David Desharnais scoring a controversial goal while interfering with Duchesne just 1:25 in to take an early 4-1 lead. Cyclones forward Jason Deitsch following suit at the 2:38 mark for their fifth and final goal of the night. Like throwing a switch, Dayton's offense came to life in the second half of the third period, led by Petr Pohl who scored his first ECHL goal of the season with help from Greg Labesnki and Chris Eade at 7:41. Without waiting for the B-Man to "count down" Pohl's lamplighter, Brad Bonello took the puck and sent it into the Cyclones net just :12 later at the 7:53 mark. The goal, Bonello's team-leading 18th of the season, was assisted by Mike Berry and Corey LeClair, and put Dayton back to within two. Capitalizing on a power play frenzy in front of the Cyclones net, Bombers team captain Greg Labeski banged in a shot from the far corner for his 5th of the year, assisted by Petr Pohl and Brad Bonello at the 15:54 mark to cut the Cincinnati lead to one. Despite an exciting ending and an extra attacker, Cyclones goalie kept Cincinnati ahead till the final buzzer, securing the 5-4 final score. Shots on goal in the third favored Dayton 16-8 for a game total of 30-29 Cincinnati.

Dayton's record now stands at 28-31-5-6 for 67 while the Bombers have clinched the fifth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Cincinnati now stands at an impressive 54-11-5 for a whopping 113 points, touting the second most wins in a season in ECHL history.

The Bombers return to action on Wednesday night for one final trip to Wheeling's WesBanco Arena to battle the Nailers before Dayton Returns to the Nutter Center on Saturday night at 7pm to host rival Johnstown Chiefs for one final time before the post season. The game, also this season's Fan Appreciation Night, will provide one final "preview" before the two teams begin the 2008 ECHL playoff the following night.

Tickets are still available for Saturday's regular season conclusion and Sunday's North Division Quarterfinals Game #1 by calling the Bombers office at 775-4747, and fans can tune into the game's broadcast online at echl.com and daytonbombers.com, and can watch the live telecast at b2livetv.com with Bombers broadcaster JT Szabo on the call.



ECHL Stories from April 1, 2008


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