DaytonDailyNews.com

FAIRBORN — They suited up in green shamrock-covered jerseys, but there was no luck of the Irish for the Dayton Bombers.

The Trenton (N.J.) Devils shut out the Bombers 2-0 in front of a crowd of 5,954 at the Nutter Center on Friday night, March 14.

After almost 50 scoreless minutes, Trenton left wing Andrew Leach found the corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. Left wing Jason Paige added a late goal to secure the win for the visitors.

"It was tough slugging out there," Bombers coach Bill McDonald said. "We were brutal. The ice was brutal. ... The whole night was brutal."

While Trenton outshot Dayton 16-8, neither team lit up the scoreboard in the opening period.

After a lengthy intermission, prompted by a Zamboni malfunction, it was more of the same in the second period. Despite a combined 19 shots on goal and five power-play opportunities, the scoreboard read 0-0 after 40 minutes of hockey.

"We had some chances, and we had some spurts, but we didn't do anything," McDonald said.

Same teams, same time tonight as Trenton returns to the Nutter Center for a rematch.

"Hopefully, you'll see a better effort from us," McDonald said.

Déjà vu: After a one-month hiatus from the Nutter Center, the Dayton Bombers returned to a good crowd but bad ice.

A Zamboni malfunction after the first period caused a hole at mid-ice. That hole caused a delay of more than 40 minutes as crews worked to repair the area. Both the Dayton and Trenton coaches inspected the ice and play resumed.

"If the coaches and officials don't think it's OK, we don't play — it's a matter of safety," Bombers General Manager Don MacAdam said. The Bombers endured two postponed and one delayed game last season because of ice problems and had to call off an October game because of a Zamboni breakdown.

"We have three home games this weekend, and obviously, we're upsetting some fans," MacAdam said after some fans left during the delay.

This weekend's home games

Today: 7 p.m.

vs. Trenton Devils

Sunday: 5 p.m. vs. Cincinnati Cyclones