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Resiliency pays off for Bombers in 5-4 shootout loss

November 24, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Dayton Bombers News Release


Toledo OH-The Dayton Bombers overcame a 4-1 second period deficit to earn a point in their 5-4 shootout loss to the Toledo Storm at the Sports Arena in Toledo, Ohio.

The Bombers fell behind 1-0 on a Toledo power play goal almost midway through the first period. With less than four minutes left in the first period, the Bombers would get the equalizer. Matt Herneisen was the benefactor of a rebound from Storm starter Logan Koopmans and tied the game at 1-1 at the 16:46 mark in the first. Corey LeClair picked up his first point as a Bomber and Paul Kelly earned his sixth assist of the season on the Herneisen goal. Toledo broke the tie with less than a minute remaining capitalizing on a five-on-three power play to take a 2-1 into the locker room after 20 minutes.

Ten seconds into the second period Toledo increased their lead to 3-1 on another power play goal, their third of the game. They added a fourth power play goal later in the second to take a commanding 4-1 lead on home ice. But the Bombers proved to the Reading Royals in Dayton on Wednesday that they have a certain resiliency about themselves and this game put that trait to the test.

Alternate Captain Scott Ford finished off a one-time pass from fellow Captain Greg Labenski to cut the lead to two on the power play at the 14:19 mark of the second period. Less than two minutes later, Labenski picked up his second assist in as many power plays on Tim Konsorada's fourth of the season (all of which have come on the power play) to cut the lead to 4-3 at the 16:44 mark. Toledo weathered Dayton's version of an offensive Storm and held on to the lead after 40 minutes.

Going into and coming out of the locker room, the Bombers could just feel all of the momentum, as they continued to pressure Koopmans in the third as well. After registering 13 shots on goal in the second, the Bombers fired away 14 in the third period, including the game tying goal from newly acquired forward Yannick Tifu. Bombers defenseman Trevor Hendrikx just threw the puck at the side of Koopmans net, but Koopmans wasn't ready for the play and Tifu tapped in the game-tying goal at the 14:21 mark of the third period.

This game was not just about offense; it was also about brilliant net minding late in the second and throughout the entire third period by Bombers rookie Dan LaCosta. Toledo had a number of chances right in front of the Bombers crease, but somehow, someway, LaCosta used every pad and inch of his body to keep the Storm at bay. Koopmans was forced to help Toledo just get to overtime because of the relentless pressure and at the end of regulation, the game was tied at 4-4. Overtime wasn't enough on this night and both teams headed for the shootout for the first time this season. Veteran Storm forward Nick Parillo would be the only player on either side to score, allowing Toledo to pick up the extra point in the 5-4 shootout loss for the Bombers.

The Bombers improve to 5-4-1 on the season and return home Saturday November 25, to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at the EJ Nutter Center at 7:00 p.m.

Great season ticket locations and sponsorship opportunities are still available! Individual game tickets are on sale now. For more information contact the Bombers office at 775-4747 or log on to www.daytonbombers.com. The Dayton Bombers are the proud affiliate to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.



ECHL Stories from November 24, 2006


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