Bombers Wekly News

November 24, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


BOMBERS NOTES

SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT: The Bombers fell to the South Division's Gwinnett Gladiators on Wednesday night 4-3 in overtime. Scoring for the Bombers were Jarret Lukin, Nino Musitelli and Danny LaPointe. Goalie Paul Drew, getting his fourth career start, stopped 42 of 46 total shots he faced, dropping his first contest of the season. The Bombers were a perfect 4 of 4 on the penalty kill against the Gladiators, and managed a short-handed goal from LaPointe.

ABOUT FRIDAY NIGHT...: The Bombers were defeated by the Gwinnett Gladiators Friday night 4-2 in the second of five straight road games for Dayton. Immediately falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Bombers mounted a comeback in the second frame, netting goals by Ryan Smyth and Dan Riedel. The Gladiators, however, never relinquished the lead, eventually scoring twice more to earn the win. Goalie Tyler Plante was 33 of 37 for the Bombers, while Gwinnett's Josh Johnson was 22 of 24.

CONQUERING THE SOUTH: The Bombers defeated the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night 3-2 as goalie Paul Drew picked up his fourth win of the season. Drew made 18 of 20 saves and is yet to drop a game in regulation this year. Scoring for the Bombers were Danny LaPointe, Justin Bowers and Dan Riedel. Defenseman Greg Labenski had a pair of assists on the night. Dayton was a perfect 3 of 3 on the penalty kill and was 1 of 3 on the power play.

WHAT A WAY TO END THE WEEKEND: Playing the final of four games against the South Division the Bombers beat the Augusta Lynx 2-1 on Sunday night. Following a 12-0 defeat at the hands of the Florida Everblades, the Lynx were looking for revenge and jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period. The Bombers would answer back in the second frame with a goal from Justin Bowers, assisted by Mike McLean and Nathan Schwartzbauer. Joe Van Culin netted the game winner on the power play from Dan Riedel and Nino Musitelli, also in the second period. Bombers goalie Tyler Plante held off a last minute barrage from the Lynx as they opted for the extra attacker, but Plante came away with his first win in a Dayton uniform after stopping 28 of 29 shots.

ROAD WARRIOR: Rookie Nino Musitelli has excelled on the road for the Bombers. He's currently on a seven-game road assist streak, the longest in the league this season. Overall, he's on a four-game assist and point streak, dating back to the Bombers home game on November 16.

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Dan Riedel and Justin Bowers are the team's co-leaders in points (17), goals (7) and assists (10). Riedel is tied for first in the ECHL with 12 points on the power play. Bowers ranks in the top 5 amongst rookies in overall scoring. Defenseman Greg Labenski leads all d-men with 49 shots fired this season.

HOLY GOALIE!: First-year netminder Paul Drew is continuing to prove what he is made of. The rookie improved to 4-0-1-0 with a 2.78 goals against average following Saturday night's win in South Carolina. Drew's GAA now ranks 18th in the league. He is yet to drop a game in regulation and started the season 3-0-0.

KILLER DEFENSE: The Bombers were 14 of 17 on the penalty kill last week, averaging 82.4%. They improved their overall penalty kill average to 80.2% for the season.

UNTIL WE SEE YOU AGAIN: While the Bombers won't face the South Carolina Stingrays again this season, there is still plenty of action left against the South Division. Augusta, Charlotte and Gwinnett will each play a pair of games against the Bombers in Dayton throughout the rest of the season. Charlotte will be first, visiting in December, followed by Augusta in January. The Gladiators make the last stop into town, playing on March 21 and 22 at the historic Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio.

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

Goals: Justin Bowers & Dan Riedel - 7

Assists: Justin Bowers & Dan Riedel - 10

Points: Justin Bowers & Dan Riedel- 17

PIM: Greg Labenski - 26

LOOK OUT BELOW!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The Bombers are beginning to get in the holiday spirit by holding a pair of food drives at their games this weekend. On Friday night The Foodbank, Inc. will be the beneficiary of a canned food drive at the Nutter Center. Then on Saturday the Bombers will give all donations to Miami County food banks after they play at Troy's Hobart Arena.

HOBART TICKETS AVAILABLE: The second of six games at the historic Hobart Arena will be Saturday, November 29 against Reading at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Hobart Arena box office, www.hobartarena.com, or by calling 937-339-2911.

BRUINS HONORED: The Bombers are paying tribute to the IHL's Troy Bruins at each of their six games at Hobart Arena by wearing specialty throwback jerseys. Each jersey has a Miami County non-profit as a partner and when the jerseys are auctioned off in March, the proceeds will be split between the respective organization and the Dayton Bombers Foundation.

HITTING THE AIRWAVES: The Bombers will broadcast their first home game of the season this weekend on WONE 980AM as they take on the Wheeling Nailers on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

OFF THE RADIO: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the Bombers will not be participating in their weekly segment on WONE with Mark Schlemmer. Make sure to tune in next week on Thursday from 5:00-6:00 pm as Bombers players and coaching staff will be on the air with Mark Schlemmer. 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 TBD this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

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.



ECHL Stories from November 24, 2008


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