Dayton's Klapkowski scores first ECHL goal as Bombers fall to Trenton 4-1
March 15, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release
Dayton, OH- With the Commissioner and Kelly Cup watching from the concourse, the Defending American Conference Champion Dayton Bombers were unable to overcome an early deficit, falling to the Trenton Devils 4-1 in front of 7,965 at the Nutter Center on Saturday night.
With Bombers netminder Rejean Beaucemin having the night off, Trenton wasted little time testing goaltender Jeremy Duchesne, posting 16 shots in the first period. Trenton's Matt Cohen notched his third goal of the season to put the Devils up 1-0 after twenty minutes. Trenton led in period shots 16-11.
The second period began with a bang, as Trenton's Tony Zancanaro found the back of the net just :39 in to take a 2-0 lead. Joe Rooney added his name to the score sheet for the Devils at the 9:40 mark for his third goal of the season. Bombers forward Masahito Nishiwaki was given a penalty shot at the 10:05 mark, but was thwarted by the blocker pad of Trenton's netminder Jason Smith. Dayton would be unable to score in the second period as Trenton carried a 3-0 lead into the dressing room after forty minutes. The Devils out shot the Bombers 17-6 in the period for a combined total of 33-17.
Dayton came out in the third period with an added intensity, capitalizing on a quick bench minor penalty to Trenton for "too many men on the ice" just :38 in. Just past the halfway point, Bombers forward Gary Klapkowski, who was acquired from the now-dormant Mid-Atlantic Hockey League earlier this season, scored his first ECHL goal off a pass from Greg Labenski and newcomer Ryan MacGregor at the 10:11 mark to cut the lead to two. Dayton would work feverishly to climb out of the deficit throughout the rest of the period before Trenton capitalized on a Bombers miscue in the neutral zone to send in an empty-net goal for their fourth and final tally with just 45 seconds left in regulation. Despite the outcome, Dayton out shot Trenton in the third 10-9 for a game total of 39-27 Trenton.
Dayton's record now stands at 26-25-5-5 for 62 points holding sole possession of fifth place and the final playoff spot.
The Bombers return to the Nutter Center ice on Sunday for a match up with first place Cincinnati Cyclones at 5pm. Tickets are on sale at the Nutter Center box office or by calling 775-4747. Sunday's game also features the final appearance by the Kelly Cup and Dayton's special green St. Patrick's jerseys. Fans can also tune into the Bombers broadcast starting at 6:45pm on b2 Networks at echl.com, daytonbombers.com and b2livetv.com with JT Szabo on the call.
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