Playoff atmosphere gives Bombers advantage in 4-3 OT win over Johnstown
April 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release
Dayton, OH- The Defending American Conference Champion Dayton Bombers proved to everyone that they are ready for the Kelly Cup playoffs with an exciting 4-3 overtime win in front of a loud 7,603 at the Nutter Center Saturday night.
For the final time in the regular season, Bill McDonald's Dayton Bombers stepped onto the ice, and quickly proved to the packed house that they were ready for their second consecutive playoff appearance. Setting the tone right off the opening face off, Bombers enforcer Britt Dougherty dropped the mitts, showing Chiefs forward Jason Spence the business end of his fists. Dayton continued to establish its dominance over the Chiefs in the first with help from forward Scott Kelman, who knocked home a centering pass from Petr Pohl to take an early 1-0 lead just 3:38 in. The goal, assisted by Pohl and Jim Henkemeyer, was Kelman's 11th of the season. Johnstown battled back; instigating two more fights in the period, but would be unable to penetrate goaltender Jeremy Duchesne. After twenty minutes, Dayton led 1-0 and were even in shots on goal with the Chiefs 11-11.
Johnstown began the second period with a quick goal by Alexandre Imbeault just 4:02 in to tie the score at 1-1. It was a true "playoff" atmosphere, with the crowd getting behind the Bombers who were battling back into the lead. Dayton regained the lead at the 11:38 mark thanks to Mike Walsh's 12th goal of the season. Kelman and Pohl assisted on the goal. Not to be outdone, the Chiefs generated more offense in front of Duchesne to make it 2-2, this time Jason Spence added his name to the score sheet for his 6th goal of the season at the 16:19 to once again even the game. Capitalizing on a defensive miscue, Chiefs forward Brian Deeth managed to ziz-zag his way in front of the net and score his 6th of the season to take a one goal Chiefs lead at 18:29. Dayton would be unable to match the effort, skating into the dressing room after forty minutes trailing 3-2. Shots in the second favored the Chiefs 15-9 for a two-period total 26-20 Johnstown.
Dayton hung on in the third, getting numerous chances on the Chiefs net, but would remain behind Johnstown until the 19:20 mark. With the extra attack on the ice, Britt Dougherty once again stepped up, scoring his 2nd goal of the season with just :40 to go in regulation. The goal, assisted by Mike Berry and Petr Pohl, tied the game at 3, sending it into sudden death overtime. Despite a brief 3-on-3 play to start the extra frame, neither team could find an edge. Dayton captain Greg Labenski finished the season on top, scoring his 6th goal of the season to win the game in overtime 4-3. Final shots favored Dayton 38-32.
Both teams return to the ice at the Nutter Center on Sunday, for Game One of the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs at 5pm. Tickets are on sale at the Nutter Center Box Office or by calling 775-4747. Fans can also tune into the game at echl.com, daytonbombers.com and b2livetv.com with JT Szabo on the call.
ECHL Stories from April 5, 2008
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