Bombers Weekly News

Published on January 26, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


BOMBERS NOTES

THE RACE HEATS UP: With a mere nine points separating the top six teams in the North Division, play will intensify between division foes in the coming weeks. The Bombers face the Elmira Jackals for the first time at the Nutter Center this season in a battle for fourth place. Then the Cincinnati Cyclones come to town this weekend in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. The Cyclones recently jumped the Bombers in the division standings after taking both games at US Bank Arena last week.

FAR FROM HEAVEN: The Bombers were defeated 7-1 on Friday night by the Cincinnati Cyclones. The home team scored just :19 into the contest and didn't let up from there. Dayton tallied their lone goal at 19:19 of the first from Dominic D'Amour, assisted by Dan Riedel and Brock Wilson. Tyler Plante, who started in net was 9 of 14; Paul Drew was 13 of 15 in relief.

PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT: For the second straight night the Bombers fell to the Cincinnati Cyclones on the road, this time dropping a 2-1 decision in overtime. Paul Drew, making his second appearance of the weekend, was 22 of 24 on the night. Leading scorer Mike McLean netted his 15th goal of the season from Tomas Zaborsky and Jim Henkemeyer. The Bombers were held scoreless on the power play; however, they held the Cyclones to just one power play goal on six chances.

ALL-STAR RECAP: Representing the Bombers in his first All-Star Game, center Jarret Lukin did not disappoint. Tallying a goal and an assist in the second period, Lukin helped the American Conference to an 11-5 win over the National Conference. Lukin also participated in two Skills Competition events, the Puck Control Relay and the Breakaway Relay.

WELCOME BACK: Rookie forward Justin Bowers has returned to the Bombers following seven games with the Lake Erie Monsters, the "AAA" affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. The Bombers leading rookie, who was selected as an ECHL All-Star, picked up a goal and an assist with the Monsters and had a +2 rating.

TOP SPOTS: After each picking up a point last week, forwards Mike McLean and Dan Riedel remain close to the top of the leagues' points standings. With a team leading 43 points, McLean ranks 10th, while Riedel sits at 15th with a team-leading 16 goals.

JUST HALFWAY?: The Bombers top three scorers are having record years for themselves. Team leader Mike McLean, with 43 points, has shattered his previous personal best in points (24) during his first professional season last year. Dan Riedel is just 13 points away from tying his 52-point season in Muskegon (IHL) and Jarret Lukin has already surpassed the 30 points he tallied last year with Florida.

MILESTONES: The following Bombers players are approaching career milestones: Greg Labenski - 3 games shy of 750 career games; Dan Riedel - 1 goal shy of 50 career goals; Dominic D'Amour - 4 assists shy of 50 career assists; Ryan Smyth - 4 points shy of 50 career points; Mike McLean - 2 assists shy of 50 career assists; Joe Van Culin - 1 point shy of 50 career points

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

Goals: Jarret Lukin & Dan Riedel- 16

Assists: Mike McLean - 28

Points: Mike McLean - 43

PIM: Joe Van Culin - 72

LOOK OUT BELOW!

LACE 'EM UP: Catch the Bombers skating at Kettering Rec during the Open Skate session on Wednesday, January 28 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dominic D'Amour, Nino Musitelli, Tyler Plante, Les Reaney, Nathan Schwartzbauer and Tomas Zaborsky will be skating, greeting fans and signing autographs. Kids Club members can skate for FREE by showing their membership card. Skate rentals are $2.

IN THE COMMUNITY: Tonight Danny LaPointe and Brock Wilson are visiting a Dayton Bluehawks IP hockey practice and on Wednesday Britt Dougherty and Dan Riedel will read to kids at the Kitty Hawk After-School Program on WPAFB.

NO SWEAT: Stick around after the game on Saturday night for your chance to bid on an official game-worn Dayton Bombers jersey. The White jerseys are up for bidding this week, while the Red jerseys will go up for auction on March 28. Both sets of sweaters will be available for pick up at the conclusion of the season.

ON AIR: Catch the Bombers this week on WONE 980AM as broadcaster Tom Michaels calls the games against Elmira on Tuesday and versus Cincinnati on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. All games are available on the internet with B2 Networks audio and video broadcasts by visiting www.echl.com.

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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ECHL Stories from January 26, 2009


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