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Bombers Weekly News

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


CAPPING THE WEEKEND: Mike McLean scored with just 54 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Bombers a 4-3 victory over the Reading Royals on Sunday, beating them for the second straight night. The Bombers had a 1-0 lead after the first period from Mike Looby's first goal of the season. In the second, Ryan Smyth tallied a goal for the Bombers, but the Royals would answer with a pair of their own, tying the game at 2 after the second period. Dan Riedel netted his team-leading 10th goal of the season on the power play from Jarret Lukin and Greg Labenski to start the third period, but with just over five minutes remaining the Royals again tied the game with a goal of their own. McLean was the night's hero as he took a feed from Danny LaPointe and Justin Bowers to secure the win. Goalie Tyler Plante earned his second consecutive win after making 17 saves on 20 shots.

WHAT A COMEBACK: The Bombers recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Reading Royals 3-2 on Saturday night at Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio. The Royals netted a goal in the first period from Kevin Harvey, and then in the second from Ned Lukacevic before Justin Bowers opened scoring for Dayton. Bowers was assisted by Danny LaPointe. Less than five minutes after Bowers cut the lead in half, Dan Riedel scored his 9th goal of the year on the power play from Bryson Busniuk and Jarret Lukin. It was Ryan Smyth who scored the game winner in the third with a helper from Christian Gaudet. Goalie Tyler Plante was 30 of 32 for Dayton, improving to 2-3-0-1. The Bombers fired 25 shots at Reading's Bryan Bridges.

SO CLOSE: On Friday night the Bombers fell to the Wheeling Nailers 3-2 in a shootout. Jim Henkemeyer and newly acquired Bryson Busniuk scored goals for the Bombers in the first and second periods, respectively, but it was Wheeling that took control in the shootout. They netted goals from 3 of 4 shooters, while the Bombers had just one goal in four tries. Goalie Tyler Plante was 18 of 20 on the night. Dayton went 1 of 7 on the power play and a perfect 5 of 5 on the penalty kill.

TAKEN DOWN: The Bombers fell 4-2 to the Cincinnati Cyclones on Tuesday night at US Bank Arena. Following a scoreless first period, the Cyclones and Bombers managed to find the back of the net as Olivier Latendresse scored for Cincinnati and Dan Riedel picked up a power play goal for the Bombers. It was the Cyclones in the third, however, that turned up the heat, netting three goals in the final frame to the Bombers one. Christian Gaudet had the second goal for the Bombers. Dayton goaltender Tyler Plante was 37 of 40 on the night and the Bombers held the Cyclones scoreless on the power play, going 6 for 6 on the penalty kill.

HE'S GOT THE POWER: Forward Dan Riedel netted a trio of power play goals last week. His eight goals on the man advantage and 14 overall power play points are both best in the league. He is also the team leader in goals with 10.

HEY NEW GUY: Newly acquired forward Bryson Busniuk is on a three game point streak with a goal and a pair of assists last week. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native grew up playing for Bombers head coach Bill McDonald as a kid. He comes from a strong hockey background, too, with both his father and uncle having played in the National Hockey League.

HELPING HAND: Rookie Nino Musitelli is on a six-game assist and point streak, dating back to the Bombers home game on November 16. He's excelled on the road especially and is currently on an eight-game road assist streak, the longest in the league this season.

SHUTTING THEM DOWN: The Bombers did not allow a power play goal last week until Sunday against Reading, going 18 of 20 on the penalty kill overall. The team started the week a perfect 16 of 16, starting on Tuesday when the Cincinnati Cyclones were 0 for 6, then Wheeling was 0 for 5 on Friday and the Royals were 0 for 5 on Saturday night.

HOME SWEET HOME: There will be nine home games played by the Bombers in the month of December, the most of any month this season. With only two road games on the schedule, in Cincinnati no less, the Bombers will finally get a chance to settle in. Of the 11 total games played in December, the Bombers will only face four teams: Wheeling, Reading, Charlotte and Cincinnati.

TEAM LEADERS: The following Bombers lead the team in these statistical categories:

Goals: Dan Riedel - 10

Assists: Justin Bowers - 13

Points: Justin Bowers - 21

PIM: Greg Labenski - 35

LOOK OUT BELOW!

STUFFED WITH LOVE: Thank you to everyone that participated in last week's food drive, benefitting The Foodbank, Inc. We had a great turnout of donated food at both the Nutter Center and Hobart Arena that will surely make many people's holidays much brighter in the Miami Valley.

IT'S RAINING BEARS: On Saturday night the Bombers will host their annual "Teddy Bear Toss" as the team takes on the Wheeling Nailers. Bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to the game and throw it on the ice after the Bombers score their first goal of the game. All donations will be distributed at Dayton Children's hospital during a player visit next week and to local police and fire departments.

FACE TIME: Get to know your favorite Dayton Bombers players at Saturday night's post-game skate with the team. Go on the ice at the Nutter Center for pictures and autographs with the Bombers. Skates are not required!

FIVE DOLLAR FRIDAY'S: Every Friday in December kids 12 and under can get Silver level tickets for just $5 at the Nutter Center box office. Those games are December 5, 12, 19 and 26.

HOCKEY TALK: Tune in to 980AM WONE with Mark Schlemmer on Thursday from 5:00-6:00 pm as Bombers players Tyler Plante and Mike McLean and Bombers staff will be on the air discussing the team's upcoming games. Fans can call in to the station at (937) 457-WONE or email questions to 980wone@gmail.com.

FUTURE BOMBERS?: Kids Club members - tell your parents to submit photos of you at a Bombers game or player appearance to be nominated for the "Kids Club Member of the Week" and to be recognized on the video board during each Sunday game and on the Dayton Bombers website. Not in Kids Club? There's still time to join by contacting Luci Franklin at 775-4747 or luci@daytonbombers.com.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Bombers practices are below:

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Kettering Rec 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Wednesday: Game Day

Thursday: TBD

Friday: Game Day

TICKETS ON SALE: Tickets for each Dayton Bombers home game are on sale at the Nutter Center box office or any Ticketmaster outlet, including www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by contacting the Bombers at (937) 775-4747. Full and partial season tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Bombers office.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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