Bombers Split Pair of Road Games

Published on December 16, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


The Dayton Bombers Professional Hockey Team (10-15-3) won, then lost in a two-game stretch that capped the second leg of their season-long, six-game road stretch. The Bombers will host Atlantic City twice in a three games-in-three nights situation this weekend, sandwiched around a road tilt against intrastate rival Cincinnati. Below is a review of the two Bombers' games played last week:

12/13/02- BOMBERS 2 @ Wheeling Nailers 1

Defenseman Mike Vellinga scored a power play goal on a rebound with 37 seconds left in regulation as the Dayton Bombers defeated the Wheeling Nailers 2-1 at the Wheeling Civic Center. Defenseman Jason Crain, who assisted on the Bombers' first period goal by Jamie Ling, received a pass from Torrey DiRoberto, who was stationed along the near boards. From the high slot, Crain sent a shot to the net that deflected off Chris M. Thompson and was kicked out by Wheeling goalie Mike Valley, but Vellinga sent the rebound from the left circle into the net for the winner. Vellinga had assisted on an overtime game-winner by Ryan Vince in a 3-2 triumph at Wheeling November 3.

The Bombers hit two goal posts in the third period prior to Vellinga's tally. Forward Ben Knopp clanged a shot of the left goal post within the third period's first minute, then Chris M. Thompson fired a shot off the right post with 7:30 remaining in regulation. After Michel Ouellet's power play goal put Wheeling in front at 5:17 of the first period, Jamie Ling deflected Crain's blueline blast past Valley for his fifth goal of the season to tie the game at 9:10. Ryan Vince, who also assisted on the goal, extended a point-scoring streak to a team season-best six straight games.

12/14/02 - BOMBERS 2 @ Trenton Titans 4

Adam Edinger and Matt Zultek scored in a two-goal second period that lifted the Titans to a 4-2 victory over the Bombers. Trenton's Adam Schneider and the Bombers' Jason Crain had exchanged power play goals in the first period before the decisive middle frame. Ryan Vince pulled the Bombers to within one (3-2) with just 53 seconds remaining, but Chris Lynch scored into an empty net to secure the triumph for Trenton.

BOMBER BITES: Rookie defenseman Jason Crain is second on the Bombers in power play points despite being with the club since only late November. He has two goals and six assists with the Bombers (eight points), second only to Chris M. Thompson (2-9-11). He had three assists (three total points) in 16 games played with the Mississippi Sea Wolves to start the season ... Crain has recorded a point in each of his last five games (2-4-6) and in eight of his nine games with the Bombers ... Winger Torrey DiRoberto leads the Bombers with 11 goals and four power play scores ... Ryan Vince is riding a team season-high, seven-game point scoring streak. He prolonged the streak with a goal at 19:07 of the third period at Trenton this past Saturday (he has 3-5-8 during the span). Vince has three goals and nine assists in his last ten games ... Andrew Ianiero had a five-game point scoring streak come to an end on Friday at Wheeling (3-4-7 during the stretch) ... Defenseman Tom Nemeth has a goal and four assists in his last three games ... After scoring one goal in his first 13 games, center Fred Slukynsky has six tallies in his last 15 games ... Mike Vellinga, who leads the Bombers in defensemen scoring (2-11-13), has two game-winners, an overtime game-winning assist, and five of 13 total points against Wheeling this season (5 GP- 2-3-5) ... Defenseman Kyle Kos was loaned to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League this past week, becoming the sixth different Bomber to be beckoned by the American Hockey League this season (joining a list that includes D Tyler Sloan, F Matt Dzieduszycki, W Torrey DiRoberto, and F Trevor Ettinger, all of whom have been summoned by the Syracuse Crunch, the Bombers' AHL affiliate in addition to goalie Andrew Allen, who has been sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins twice).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:

JASON CRAIN- Defense
TOTALS- 2 GP- 1 G- 2 A- 3 PTS- even plus/minus- 1 PPG- 5 shots in team's 1-1 week

GOALIE OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:

SHANE BENDERA- Goalie
TOTALS- 2 GP- 1 W- 1 L- 119:33 minutes- 2.01
GAA- 46 shots- 42 saves- .913 SVPCTG in team's 1-1 week

BOMBERS' TRANSACTIONS FOR WEEK:

12/08/2002 Add KYLE KOS (D) added to roster after being acquired from Arkansas for Phillippe Lakos (D) and Garry Toor (D)
12/08/2002 Delete RICHARD PAUL (D) placed on 7-day IR
12/10/2002 Delete TOM NEMETH (D) placed on 7-day IR
12/12/2002 Delete KYLE KOS (D) loaned to Cincinnati
12/13/2002 Add GRANT VAN LAAR (G) added as Emergency Backup Goaltender
12/13/2002 Delete ANDREW ALLEN (G) loaned to Grand Rapids (AHL)
12/13/2002 Add MARK JERANT (D) activated off IR
12/14/2002 Add DAVE MARLIN (G) added as Emergency Backup Goaltender
12/14/2002 Delete GRANT VAN LAAR (G) released as Emergency Backup Goaltender

BOMBERS' COMMUNITY APPEARANCE SCHEDULE:

- On two consecutive nights this week, Dayton Bombers' players will help contribute to Toys for Tots Distribution at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton. On Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m., defensemen Mike Vellinga and Jason Crain will participate. On Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m., forwards Ben Knopp and Richard Paul will share their time.

BOMBERS' TICKET NEWS: The Dayton Bombers Professional Hockey Team are continuing a special holiday offer regarding all new, half-season ticket packages. Fans who purchase a half-season ticket package (featuring 18 home games beginning January 2, 2003) will receive four additional tickets for the remaining December home games as well as a free gift. Gold "Half-Season" Tickets are just $234, while Silver "Half-Season" Tickets are only $162. These holiday half-season packages make great gifts for friends and family. For further information regarding these packages, call Mike Flanagan, Bombers Season Ticket and Group Sales Manager at (937) 775-4751 or by emailing the Bombers at hockey@daytonbombers.com.

BOMBERS' UPCOMING GAMES THIS WEEK:

Friday, December 20, 2002 vs. Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (7:30 p.m./7:15 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com- "Listen Live Section"- in association with www.sportsjuice.com)- The Bombers will resume their rivalry against this team from the Northeast Division. The Bombers are 2-1 in games played against Atlantic City this season. All three previous tilts have been at Boardwalk Hall, with two coming earlier this month. The Bombers split back-to-back road games against the Boardwalk Bullies on Wednesday, December 4 and Friday, December 6. The Bombers fell 5-1, then topped Atlantic City 4-1 two days later on the strength of Ryan Vince's two goals. The Bombers bested the Boardwalk Bullies 2-1 in a shootout at Boardwalk Hall on November 9. The Bombers lost 6-4 to Atlantic City in the only regular season meeting played between the two teams last season, but won a pair of home games en route to a 3-1 Northern Conference Final series triumph in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Saturday, December 21 @ Cincinnati Cyclones (7:05 p.m) (6:50 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com- "Listen Live Section"- in association with www.sportsjuice.com) The Bombers will look to respond from a 5-1 loss at Cincinnati on November 29 and an earlier 4-3 defeat to the Cyclones on October 18 at the Nutter Center. The Bombers will play the Cyclones a total of 11 times during the 2002-2003 regular season, with six meetings at the Nutter Center and five total encounters at the US Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati.

Sunday, December 22, 2002 vs. Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (6:00 p.m./5:45 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com- "Listen Live Section"- in association with www.sportsjuice.com)- The Bombers will play Atlantic City for the fourth time in December to conclude the 2002-2003 regular season series. This game marks the last Bombers' tilt before Christmas and another Kids Club Sunday at the Nutter Center, presented by Capn' Bogey's. There will also be a pre-game skate from 4-5 p.m. at this event.

Tickets for all Bombers' home games as well as corporate marketing packages are available through the Bombers' office by calling (937) 775-4747 or by logging onto www.daytonbombers.com, or by visiting the Nutter Center Box Office.

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ECHL Stories from December 16, 2002


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