Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Beach Party Night Accent Exciting Week of Bombers Hockey

January 19, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


After the mid-season All-Star Break concludes, the Dayton Bombers will resume their ECHL-America's Premier AA Hockey League schedule with a pair of Nutter Center home games Friday and Saturday against Peoria (7:00 p.m.). In what is destined to be a landmark event, Friday's game will feature an appearance by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and is expected to be the Bombers' first Nutter Center sellout in franchise history. Below is a look at the games ahead for the Dayton Bombers this week:

Friday, 1/23/2004 vs. Peoria Rivermen (7:00 p.m.)

The Dayton Bombers, who topped the Rivermen 3-2 in a road tilt at Carver Arena last Thursday, will face Peoria once again in the first of a two-game home series. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., NASCAR's #8, will make a pit stop to raise money for the Children's Medical Center of Dayton and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Ohio. Fans can check out Dale Jr's Car. General public viewing is from 12 noon-3 p.m. Private viewing for Bombers' season ticket holders and VIP guests is from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Fans can get instant photos with the show car for $5 each. All proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Ohio. The last Bombers' home game against Peoria resulted in a 5-4 shootout triumph at the Nutter Center on December 11, 2003.

Saturday, 1/24/2004 vs. Peoria Rivermen (7:00 p.m.)

Fans are encouraged to grab their grass skirts and coconuts to celebrate the Bombers' 2nd Annual Beach Party Night at the Nutter Center. One lucky fan will win a vacation giveaway courtesy of AAA Travel. Fans can get giant margaritas for just $3. Fight the winter blues and stay warm with the Dayton Bombers. After this meeting against Peoria, the Bombers will have four more head-to-head clashes, including three in an eight-day span in March.

RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BOMBERS' ACTION:

January 15, 2004- BOMBERS 3 @ Peoria 2- Brian Ridolfi's goal after a faceoff win by Chad Theuer with 5:58 remaining and goalie Bujar Amidovski's 43 saves lifted the Dayton Bombers to their second straight win, a 3-2 triumph over the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois on Thursday night. Ridolfi, just added to the Bombers' roster earlier in the day, sent a screen shot past Peoria netminder Levente Szuper. Theuer had won the draw cleanly to Ridolfi. Fraser Clair's tally with 1:05 left in the second period gave the Bombers a 2-1 lead. Michael Chin helped create the play when he negated an icing goal by getting to the puck before it crossed the Peoria goal line. His centering feed located Clair, who slammed the puck behind Szuper. Sean Connolly also assisted. The Bombers, who outshot the Rivermen 15-11 in the first period, grabbed a 1-0 lead at the 5:31 mark when Janne Jokila darted into the Peoria Rivermen zone, cut behind the net, then found defenseman Jake Wiegand, who sent the puck past Szuper from the slot. Bret DeCecco and Adam Edinger tallied for Peoria.

January 16, 2004- BOMBERS 0 @ Toledo 1- Defenseman Kyle Kos' goal with 1:18 left in the second period on a power play was the only offense in a 1-0 Toledo Storm victory over the Dayton Bombers at the Toledo Sports Arena Friday night. Doug Teskey made 28 saves in the shutout for the Storm.

January 17, 2004- BOMBERS 2 @ Toledo 5- Rick Judson's goal broke a 1-1 tie five minutes into the second period to give the Toledo Storm the lead for good in a 5-2 victory over the Dayton Bombers at the Toledo Sports Arena on Saturday night. Chad Theuer lifted the Bombers to a 1-0 lead 3:45 into the first period on a short-handed goal. He sped into the Toledo zone around defenseman Tom Nemeth then beat goalie Doug Teskey on a high shot. But Nick Parillo would respond for Toledo at 14:47 of the first to tie the game at one and ignite a five-goal run. Chris Gignac and Morten Ask would score power play goals for the Storm, while Jason Josza scored while short-handed. Defenseman Alex Johnstone's slap shot goal accounted for the other Bombers' tally.

KISER TO SHOWCASE SKILLS AT HARDEST SHOT EVENT, ECHL ALL-STAR GAME IN PEORIA:

Bombers' rookie defenseman Nate Kiser will be participating in the KOHO Hardest Shot competition for the Eastern Conference at the Par-a-Dice ECHL All-Star Skills Competition in Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois next Tuesday, January 20. The game is on Wednesday, January 21 at 8:30 p.m. EST in Peoria. Kiser is representing the Eastern Conference.

BOMBERS' COMMUNITY APPEARANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:

- Tuesday, January 20 (5-7 p.m.)- Defenseman Alex Johnstone will be signing autographs at the Jeff Wyler Auto Dealership in Springfield, Ohio. K99 and People For That will be on hand to give away promotional items and two V.I.P. passes to see Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on Friday at the Nutter Center.

- Wednesday, January 21 (7-8 p.m.)- Forward/Columbus Blue Jackets' prospect Janne Jokila will participate in a "Storytime" at the Washington-Centerville Public Library on Far Hills Avenue in Dayton.

- Thursday, January 22 (2:00-2:30 p.m.)- Forward Riley Cote will pay a visit to the Cargill Dayton Corn Plant on Needmore Road and participate in a safety awareness program.

- Sunday, January 25 (3-5 p.m.)- Goalie Andrew Penner, defenseman Nate Kiser, and forwards Martin Paquet and Olivier Proulx will be skating with fans at the Bombers' first Riverscape MetroPark event of the year in downtown Dayton.

OTHER BOMBERS' UPCOMING HOME GAMES:

Wednesday, January 28, 2004 vs. Roanoke at Hobart Arena (7:00 p.m.)- The Dayton Bombers will take a step back in time for their January 28, 2004 game against the Roanoke Express. Although it's a "home game" for the Bombers, it will be played at Hobart Arena in Troy. Bombers team owner, Tim Reilly, said "We are extremely excited to bring a pro hockey game back to Troy." Reilly continued, "We're hopeful the excitement generated from this game will widen our fan base. And, perhaps along the way even reintroduce some folks to the fun they associated with hockey from years ago." Bombers season ticket-holders will be provided with special tickets for the January 28th game. Seats will be comparable to their regular season seats. Game time remains at 7 p.m., and Hobart will open gates at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling the Dayton Bombers office at (937) 775-4747 or Hobart Arena at (937) 339-5145. Tickets may not, however, be purchased through Ticket Master or online for this special event. General admission seating prices for all (except season ticket holders) are $10.00 for adults and $5 for kids. The group price for a size of 25 or more is $9.00 per ticket.

Friday, February 6, 2004 vs. Wheeling (7:00 p.m.)- 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Night

Saturday, February 7, 2004 vs. Toledo (7:00 p.m.)- 1000 Adult T-Shirts Giveaway

TICKET INFO: To purchase tickets for all Nutter Center Bombers' home games, contact the Bombers' office at (937) 775-4747, log onto www.daytonbombers.com, or visit the Nutter Center Box Office. To purchase Super Saving Fun "Merchandise"/Flex Ticket Combo Packs, call (937) 775-4747.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATION: NO NOMINATION

GOALIE OF THE WEEK NOMINATION: NO NOMINATION

BOMBERS' TRANSACTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
01/13/2004 Add DODY WOOD (LW) signed contract
01/13/2004 Delete SCOTT CAMERON (LW) loaned to Syracuse (AHL)
01/13/2004 Delete MIKE BOZOIAN (D) placed on 7 day IR
01/14/2004 Delete TOM NEMETH (D) traded rights to Toledo (ECHL)
01/15/2004 Add BRIAN RIDOLFI (RW) signed
01/16/2004 Add JASON DESKINS (C) activated off IR
01/16/2004 Add GRADY MOORE (D) acquired from Toledo (ECHL)



ECHL Stories from January 19, 2004


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