Bombers Weekly

Published on February 23, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


BOMBERS NOTES

ENDURANCE: Seven games in the next thirteen days. Such is the scenario for the Dayton Bombers as they look to move into playoff contention. Six of their next nine games are against the Elmira Jackals, a team they've faced just three times so far this year. The Bombers won't return to the Nutter Center until March 13 following this Wednesday's game and are just 12-13-2 on the road.

DIVISION RACE HEATS UP: 17 games remain for the Bombers as the team sits six points out of playoff contention. A mere ten points separate the top six teams in the North Division, making each game count as the season winds down. The Bombers are seeking their third consecutive trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

SWEET CAROLINA: The Bombers were upended 4-1 by the South Carolina Stingrays on Wednesday night at the Nutter Center. Taking a 1-0 lead after Greg Labenski's 12th goal of the year, the Bombers saw the Rays surge back in the first period, scoring three straight times. An insurance goal in the third sealed the victory for the South Division squad. Dayton's David Shantz was 27 of 31 and stopped a penalty shot.

SWEPT AWAY: The Cincinnati Cyclones surged in the second period, overcoming a 3-1 lead by the Bombers to win Friday night's game 5-3. Despite goals from Christian Gaudet, Jarret Lukin and Dominic D'Amour in the first period, the Bombers were unable to carry the momentum into the second frame, where the Cyclones answered back with three goals of their own. David Shantz was 29 of 34 for the loss. The Bombers were 2 of 5 on the power play and a perfect 8 of 8 on the penalty kill.

CAUGHT IN THE STORM: For the second straight night the Bombers let their lead go to the Cincinnati Cyclones, dropping Saturday's game 2-1. Nino Musitelli's goal in the first period stood as the only score of the game until the midway point of the second. Then the Cyclones netted a game-winning shorthanded goal in the third. Netminder David Shantz, who has started the team's last five games, was 23 of 25 on the night in the losing effort.

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: Last week the Bombers were a combined 21 of 24 on the penalty kill against the South Carolina Stingrays and Cincinnati Cyclones. The 87.5% average on the week helped to raise the season average to 80.0%.

IN THE GROOVE: Rookie forward Nino Musitelli has nine points in his last nine games. The four goals and five assists, including a score in Saturday's game at Cincinnati, leave the Miami (OH) University graduate with 36 points on the year (15g,21a). He's second on the team in rookie scoring and 15th in the league.

WHAT A YEAR: With 10 points (6g,4a) in his last seven games, defenseman Greg Labenski is on pace to have his second 40-point season in three years. Currently with 12 goals, he's three away from tying a career-high.

GAUDET'S GOT IT: Christian Gaudet, like his linemate Nino Musitelli, has been putting up big numbers in recent games. The second-year pro has 11 points (4g,7a) in his last 10 games, including a goal on Friday night and an assist in Saturday's contest.

FOUR-FORTY CLUB: The Bombers are one of just five teams in the ECHL with four players with at least 40 points on their roster. The other teams are Bakersfield, Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina. Dan Riedel, Mike McLean, Justin Bowers and Jarret Lukin have all reached the mile marker this year. This is the third straight season that at least 4 skaters have tallied at least 40 points

ON CALL: The team remains without leading scorer Mike McLean, who was loaned to the Lake Erie Monsters, the "AAA" affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, on February 5, and Tomas Zaborsky, who was recalled to the Hartford Wolf Pack on February 12. McLean has earned three assists in four games, while Zaborsky has one goal after 6 games with the Wolf Pack.

MILE MARKERS: Mike McLean had his 50th career assist on Wednesday while on loan to Lake Erie...Justin Chwedoruk got his 150th point on Saturday with an assist against Wheeling...Ryan Smyth had his 50th career point in Saturday night's game...Christian Gaudet tallied his 50th career point on Saturday

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

Goals: Jarret Lukin & Dan Riedel- 19

Assists: Mike McLean - 29

Points: Mike McLean & Dan Riedel - 46

PIM: Greg Labenski - 88

LOOK OUT BELOW!

SPEAK YOUR MIND: The Bombers are asking their supporters in the Miami Valley to sign a petition in support of a new downtown arena. Please visit http://www.downtowndaytonarena.com/ to sign the petition. Your signature will go a long way to help quantify the level of support for our proposed multipurpose facility.

HOME, SWEET HOME: Following Wednesday's game against Elmira the team will not play at home until Friday, March 13. Just eight games remain in the Miami Valley for the Bombers this regular season, including two more contests at the historic Hobart Arena in Troy.

WHAT'S COMING UP: Been dying to get your hands on a game-worn red Bombers jersey? How about a Troy Bruins throwback sweater? Or do you just want to go on the ice to meet the team and collect autographs? All of these are possible during the Bombers upcoming games. Check out the promotional calendar at http://www.daytonbombers.com/TICKETS/PROMOTIONS for a complete list of upcoming promotions.

DID YOU CATCH IT?: In case you missed WDTN Channel 2's exclusive 4-part series "Beyond the Boards" featuring Bombers enforcer Britt Dougherty last week, check out the clips plus special bonus footage online at http://www.wdtn.com/subindex/sports. Each segment focuses on a different aspect of being a professional hockey player, from the road trips to off-days.

ON THE AIR: Catch up with the Bombers on Mark Schlemmer's show on WONE 980AM on Thursday from 5:20-5:40 p.m. as Justin Chwedoruk and Milan Maslonka visit the studio. Call in questions to (937) 457-WONE or email questions to 980wone@gmail.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 February 23, 2009


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