Labenski Gives Bombers 4-3 OT Win in Season Finale at Reading
April 4, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release
Reading, PA - Team captain Greg Labenski scored his 15th goal of the season to give the Bombers a 4-3 overtime victory over the Reading Royals in their 2008-09 season finale.
The Bombers jumped out to an early lead in the first period as Ryan Smyth scored 1:55 into the game, assisted by Justin Chwedoruk and Britt Dougherty. Smyth extended the Bombers' lead to two with his 20th goal of the season five minutes later. Chwedoruk and Joe Van Culin earned helpers on the play. At the nine minute mark Les Reaney would grow the lead to 3-0 as he shot the puck from behind the goal and it ricocheted off the leg of Reading goaltender Beau Erickson and into the net.
Reading would battle back in the second period, netting the only goal of the frame from Ben McLeod on the power play. After two periods of play, the Bombers were outshooting the Royals 26-24.
Gaining momentum in the third, the Royals began to pressure Dayton netminder Paul Drew. Just 28 seconds into the period the Royals cut the Dayton lead to 3-2 on the power play. Reading evened the game with under three minutes remaining in regulation as Tyler Doig netted his 18th of the season. Despite a late power play, the Bombers were unable to find the back of the net and the game would go to overtime.
In the sudden death frame the Royals outshot Dayton 5-3, but it was Labenski who poked home a rebound from Chwedoruk and Reaney to cap the season with the team's second straight win.
Drew finished the night 41 of 44 for his 14th victory of the year. Erickson was 33 of 37 on the night. The Bombers went 1 of 6 on the power play and 5 of 7 on the penalty kill.
The Bombers wrapped up the 2008-09 season with a record of 32-33-4-3 (71 points).
More information on the Dayton Bombers can be found at www.daytonbombers.com or by calling (937) 775-4747.
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