Bombers fired up in 4-2 victory over Royals
April 1, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release
Dayton, OH- The Bombers ended their winless streak tonight with an inspired effort that led to a victory over the first place Reading Royals.
Over the last couple of weeks due to injuries, call ups and the trade deadline, the Bombers have added some young and exciting players into their line-up. The most recent name to join the list is Dan Knapp and tonight he made an impact for the first time in his young professional career.
Knapp was flying down the wing, crashing the net towards Royals starter Yutaka Fukufuji (who had to leave the game due to a leg injury, which forced Cody Rudkowsky in for the Royals.), awaiting a feed across the ice from Tim Konsorada. Konsorada (30) sent the puck up into the air and Knapp batted it down for his first professional goal to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead on their first shot on goal, at the 6:23 mark of the first period.
The one goal lead would stand and the Bombers took the lead into the dressing room after twenty minutes of play. In the second, the Bombers continued to control the pace of the game making smart decisions in their own zone and in the neutral zone as well, but one mistake allowed the Royals to tie it at one off the stick of Jason Kostadine at the 13:34 mark of the second period.
As the period went along, both Rudkowsky and Bombers starter Mike Ayers played well enough to allow the game to remain tied at 1-1 after forty.
It didn't take long for the Bombers to take back the lead. Mark Flood (10) ripped a one timer off of a deflection in front of the Reading goal over the glove side shoulder of Rudkowsky to give the Bombers a 2-1 lead just 1:18 seconds into the third period.
But Reading (battling Wheeling and Toledo for home ice in the playoffs) needed the two points and once again came back to tie the game, this time on the power play off a shot from the point by Eric Werner.
What happened following the tying goal might be the most impressive response the Bombers have shown all season.
Only: 17 seconds later, Andy Cote (3) capped off a perfect set of passes from Paul Kelly (9) and A.J. MacLean to energize the bench and the fans again at the 7:13 mark of the third to make it 3-2 with less than thirteen minutes remaining in regulation.
Both teams had a number of power play opportunities throughout the game and on their second two man advantage of the night the streak of going 0-70 on the power play game to an exasperating end.
Cote (4) again was involved in the offense, sending the puck from the circle into the high slot for a shot from defenseman Mark Flood. Flood let it go with a number of bodies in front of the Reading net, Rudkowsky made the save, but didn't have the puck and Paul Kelly (13) slammed it home and gave the Bombers a two goal lead with under three minutes remaining.
Realizing that not only were they on their way to a victory, but they were able to end the streak on the power play, everyone of the Bombers on the ice practically tackled each other in jubilation along the boards and the reaction from the bench, the coaches and the crowd, made it feel like a playoff type of atmosphere, final score Dayton 4, Reading 2.
The Bombers continue their 15th Anniversary season at home this Sunday April 2, as the Toledo Storm enter the Miami Valley for the final time in the 2005-2006 season at 4:00 PM at the EJ Nutter Center. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or call the Bombers office at 775-4747 for more information. The game can be heard on line at www.daytonbombers.com. Dayton Bombers Hockey, celebrating 15 years of fun.
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ECHL Stories from April 1, 2006
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