Bombers slay Gladiators late in OT, 3-2

Published on December 1, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


Dayton, OH- The Dayton Bombers defeated the defending American Conference Champion Gwinnett Gladiators 3-2 in overtime in front of almost 3,000 fans at the EJ Nutter Center.

The Gladiators jumped out to an early lead on the road, as Mike Vigilante gave Gwinnett a 1-0 advantage at the 4:55 mark of the first period. Both goaltenders, (Gladiators starter David Caruso and Bombers starter Adam Berkhoel) did not have much work to do in the first. Defense was the theme in the opening period, with the shots on goal only being 7-4 in favor of the Gladiators. The Bombers trailed by one after 20 minutes of play.

It didn't take long for the Bombers to get back into the game early in the second period. Paul Kelly deflected a pass by Greg Labenski right over the short side shoulder of Caruso to tie it at 1-1 at the 3:51 mark of the second. The Bombers used the momentum from Kelly's goal to get it going offensively, out shooting the Gladiators 9-4 in the second, but despite more chances, neither team broke the tie and the score remained 1-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Bombers center Joe Cullen returned to the line up after missing four games with a shoulder injury and made an immediate impact less than five minutes into the third period. Off a great cycle created by Justin Maiser and Brent Walton deep in the Gladiators zone, Cullen received a pass and deposited his first goal as a Dayton Bomber through the five-hole of Caruso at the 4:47 of the third. Gwinnett tied it less than five minutes later on the power play, as Vigilante would pick up his second on the night at the 9:32 mark of the third. Both teams had a number of scoring chances as the period moved on, but the goaltenders were up to the task forcing the overtime session with the game tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation.

In overtime both teams came out flying early, but Gwinnett's defense was too aggressive giving the Bombers a power play opportunity. Caruso came up with a couple of big saves during the Bombers man advantage situation, but no less than one second after the power play expired, pandemonium took its course. Rookie defensman Brad Farynuk moved over to the top of the left wing circle and let go of a missile into the top corner on the stick side of Caruso with only 3.9 seconds remaining in overtime. When the light went on, the Bombers jumped off the bench and swarmed Farynuk along the boards in elation of the thrilling 3-2 overtime victory.

The Bombers now improve to 6-5-1 on the season and will take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at U.S. Bank Arena, Saturday night, December 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets and advertising opportunities are available! Individual game tickets are on sale now. The Bombers return to the Nutter Center on Friday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Johnstown Chiefs. For more information contact the Bombers office at 775-4747 or log on towww.daytonbombers.com. The Dayton Bombers are the proud affiliate to the "AAA" Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.

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