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Bombers Top Peoria to Cap Post-Holiday 3-in-3

December 30, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


The Dayton Bombers Professional Hockey Team (12-16-6) went 1-1-1 in a "three games-in-three nights" sequence following the Christmas break. The Bombers earned a point in a road shootout loss to the Peoria Rivermen, fell at home to Cincinnati, then bested the Rivermen on home ice during a Kids' Club Sunday contest.

Below is a review of the three Bombers' games played this past weekend that kicked off a seven games in nine nights stretch:

12/27/02- BOMBERS 3 @ Peoria 4 (SO)

Rookie Ben Knopp scored a pair of goals, his second on a penalty shot with 9:44 to play in regulation which tied the game at three, to help the Dayton Bombers earn a standings point in a 4-3 shootout loss at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois. The contest marked the Bombers' fourth straight (1-0-3) to go beyond regulation. The shootout went to the 13th round before Jeremy Yablonski's goal was not subject to reply. Jamie Ling and Chris B. Thompson had scored for the Bombers in the shootout's earlier rounds. Knopp's penalty shot was called due to a Peoria player closing his hand on the puck in the goal crease. Trevor Baker and Brendan Brooks scored goals 2:08 apart in the second period to erase a 2-1 deficit and lift the Rivermen to a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission. Baker's goal at 5:26 came after Josh Kern lost the puck along the boards in the Bombers' zone, then reclaimed possession and sent the puck in front to Baker. Brooks' score came after a faceoff win by Tyler Rennette. Rennette proceeded to move forward after the draw, then found Brooks, who sent a backhander past Allen at 7:34. Ryan Vince and Knopp recorded the tallies for the Bombers to help them to a 2-1 lead. Vince extended his point scoring streak to 11 and his goal scoring streak to five when he converted Fred Slukynsky's centering pass at 7:11 of the first period. After Randy Rowe tied the game for Peoria at 18:49 of the first, the Bombers moved ahead briefly at 2:55 of the second when Chris M. Thompson fed Knopp on a 2-on-1 for the goal.

12/28/02 - Cincinnati 4 @ BOMBERS 1

Mike Casselman's goal at 2:44 of the third period ignited a three-goal surge as the Cincinnati Cyclones topped the Dayton Bombers 4-1 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center. Greg Labenski and Joe Cardarelli also added scores for Cincinnati in the final frame. The Bombers' Ryan Vince and the Cyclones' Matt Noga exchanged tallies in the second period after a scoreless first. Ryan Vince extended a team season-high point scoring streak to twelve and a team season-high goal scoring streak to six with the middle period conversion.

12/29/02 - Peoria 2 @ BOMBERS 4

Center Jamie Ling registered a team season-high four assists, three while his team was on the power play, as the Bombers beat the Rivermen 4-2 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center. The Bombers never trailed in the hockey game. Center Fred Slukynsky gave the team a 1-0 lead at 10:51 of the first period. Ling sent a shot past goalie Alfie Michaud and off the right goal post. The puck caromed to Chris M. Thompson, who ushered the puck across the slot to Slukynsky. Slukynsky backhanded the puck into the net for the first of three Bombers' power play scores. All-Star Andrew Ianiero lifted the Bombers to a 2-0 lead in the second period at 9:20 when he followed up Ling's initial scoring opportunity. Defender Chris B. Thompson also set up the man-advantage tally. Brendan Brooks' rebound goal cut the Bombers' lead to 2-1 at 2:13 of the third period, but defenseman Doug Nolan helped Dayton regain its two-goal edge at 8:19. After dropping a pass to Ling, Nolan and forward Ryan Vince cut to the net. Ling's centering feed glanced off Vince to Nolan, who sent the puck past Michaud for yet another power-play goal. Following a Ling face-off win, Brian Cummings deflected Nolan's point blast into the net with 4:11 remaining on the clock to give the Bombers a 4-1 cushion. The goal was Cummings' first since his return to the Bombers. Randy Rowe concluded the scoring with a conversion for Peoria at 16:53. Goalie Shane Bendera stopped 37 shots for the Bombers, 19 in the third period.

BOMBER BITES: Ryan Vince extended his point scoring streak to 13 (10-7-17 in the span) with an assist on Doug Nolan's goal in Sunday's game versus Peoria. The 13-game run is the longest current point scoring streak in the league (through Sunday) and is tied for the longest point scoring streak in the league this season (through Sunday). His team season-high, six-game goal scoring streak (eight total goals) was snapped on Sunday ... Vince has ten goals and 11 assists in his last 16 games ... Forward Chris M. Thompson has points in his last five games (2-4-6) and assists in a team season-high four consecutive contests ... Center Jamie Ling's four-assist effort in Sunday's win versus Peoria was the Bombers' first such performance this season ... Goalie Shane Bendera's 19-save third period against Peoria on Sunday was the most in a period by a Bomber goalie this season ... In Sunday's win, the Bombers registered three power play goals in a game for the first time this season ... Winger Brian Ridolfi, who played nearly four seasons in a Dayton Bombers' uniform from 1996-2000 and who tallied 34 goals in 67 games during the 1997-1998 season as a Bomber, was added to the team's roster prior to Sunday's game. He had been working at the Bombers' practice facility (Sportstown) in Centerville, Ohio ... Winger Torrey DiRoberto leads the Bombers with 13 goals and is tied with Ryan Vince for the most two-goal games (3) on the team ... Ben Knopp was sent to Syracuse of the AHL on Sunday, becoming the eighth 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, F Trevor Ettinger, and D Jason Crain, 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, and defenseman Kyle Kos, who is on loan with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:

JAMIE LING- Forward

TOTALS- 3 GP- 0 G- 4 A- 4 PTS- +1 plus/minus- 1 shootout goal- 6 shots in team's 1-1-1 week

GOALIE OF THE WEEK NOMINATION:

SHANE BENDERA- Goalie

TOTALS- 1 GP- 1 W- 0 L- 60:00 minutes- 2.00 GAA- 39 shots- 37 saves- .949 SVPCTG in team's 1-1-1 week

BOMBERS' TRANSACTIONS FOR WEEK:

12/26/2002 Add CHRIS B. THOMPSON (D) activated off IR

12/26/2002 Delete MARK JERANT (D) suspended by team

12/27/2002 Add CHRIS ROE (F) added to roster

12/28/2002 Delete CHRIS ROE (F) released

12/29/2002 Delete BEN KNOPP (F) recalled by Syracuse (AHL)

12/29/2002 Add BRIAN RIDOLFI (F) added to roster

BOMBERS' PRACTICE SCHEDULE/ITINERARY FOR THIS WEEK:

Monday, December 30, 2002- 2:00 p.m. (EST) approximate departure for Peoria, Illinois; 6:00 p.m. (CT) approximate arrival in Peoria, Illinois

Tuesday, December 31, 2002- 11:15 a.m. CT pre-game skate at Carver Arena; 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. EST) at Carver Arena against Peoria Rivermen; Depart for Dayton after game

Wednesday, January 1, 2003- Arrive in Dayton at approximately 5:00 a.m. EST/ OFF DAY

Thursday, January 2, 2003- 10:00 a.m. pre-game skate at Ervin J. Nutter Center; 7:00 p.m. game vs. Wheeling Nailers at Nutter Center

Friday, January 3, 2003- T.B.A. for pre-game skate; 2:00 p.m. departure for Lexington, Kentucky; 7:30 p.m. game at Rupp Arena in Lexington against Men O'War; Depart for Dayton after game

Saturday, January 4, 2003- T.B.A. for pre-game skate; 7:30 p.m. game at Nutter Center against Lexington Men O'War

Sunday, January 5, 2003- OFF DAY

BOMBERS' COMMUNITY APPEARANCE SCHEDULE:

Sunday, January 5, 2003- Chris M. Thompson, Chris B. Thompson, Richard Paul, Andrew Ianiero, and Shane Bendera will skate with fans at Riverscape in downtown Dayton from 3-5 p.m. This is the second such "Skate w/the Bombers" Event during the 2002-2003 season.

BOMBERS' UPCOMING GAMES THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, December 31, 2002 @ Peoria Rivermen

(8:00 p.m./7:45 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com- "Listen Live Section"- in association with www.sportsjuice.com)- The Bombers have earned standings points in all three previous meetings against Peoria (1-0-2) this season, but will be looking for their first win at Carver Arena in 2002-2003. This special New Year's Eve contest marks the third tilt against the Rivermen in a four-game span. After this game, the next head-to-head encounter with Peoria will be on Friday, February 21 at Carver Arena.

Thursday, January 2, 2003 vs. Wheeling Nailers (7:00 p.m)

At the Bombers' lone 7:00 p.m. game at the Nutter Center this season, the Bombers will host the Nailers for the final time during the 2002-2003 regular season. The Bombers are 4-1 against the Nailers this season, including 2-1 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center. The Bombers will play just two more regular season games against Wheeling after this encounter (Saturday, January 18 at Wheeling and Friday, February 28 at Wheeling). On Fantasy Night at the Nutter Center, fans will be able to register at the Gate 3 Cingular Wireless Fan Assistance Center for a chance to work as a Public Address Announcer, an In-Stand Announcer, a Disc Jockey, and a Play-by-Play Announcer at the game.

Friday, January 3, 2003 @ Lexington Men O'War

(7:30 p.m. game time/7:15 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com in association with www.sportsjuice.com) The Bombers begin an important home-and-home series against the Men O'War with this tilt at Rupp Arena. The Bombers are 1-3-1 against the ECHL's newest entry this season and are 0-1-1 in games played in Lexington. The last meeting between these two teams was at Lexington on December 8. Despite a 34-save performance by goalie Shane Bendera, Lexington prevailed 4-3 in a shootout.

Saturday, January 4, 2003 vs. Lexington Men O'War (7:30 p.m.)

The Bombers' only win against the Men O'War this season came at the Nutter Center on November 28. Thanks to goals from five different players, the Bombers won by a 5-2 score. This game will correspond with Mascot Night at the Ervin J. Nutter Center.

OTHER BOMBERS' UPCOMING GAMES:

Friday, January 10, 2003 vs. Cincinnati Cyclones (7:30 p.m.)- Ladd & Carter Tax Service "Beat the Taxman" Night; Three Fans will receive $100 Gift Certificates, courtesy of Ladd & Carter Tax Service

Saturday, January 11, 2003 @ Cincinnati Cyclones (7:05 p.m/ (6:50 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com)

Sunday, January 12, 2003 vs. Johnstown Chiefs (6:00 p.m.)- Kids' Club Sunday presented by Capn' Bogey's; Pre-Game Skate

Friday, January 17, 2003 @ Toledo Storm (7:30 p.m./7:15 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com)

Saturday, January 18, 2003 @ Wheeling Nailers (7:30 p.m./7:15 p.m. broadcast time on www.daytonbombers.com)

Sunday, January 19, 2003 vs. Johnstown Chiefs (6:00 p.m.)- Kids' Club Sunday presented by Capn' Bogey's; Pre-Game Skate

Friday, January 24, 2003 vs. Toledo Storm (7:30 p.m.)- Beach Party Night presented by Ultimate Tan at corner of Stroop & Wilmington (behind Blockbuster Video); Intermission Tanning Contest for $500 prize.

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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