Bombers Drop Late Heartbreaker 6-5 To Elmira

The Dayton Bombers fought until the final minute of the game, but could not overcome a 3-goal third period by the visiting Elmira Jackals, losing 6-5 at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on Wednesday night.

The Bombers were the first to light up the scoreboard when Ryan Smyth netted his 13th goal of the year at the 5:57 mark of the first period. He was assisted on the play by Justin Chwedoruk and Jim Henkemeyer. Elmira , however, would tie it up just over two minutes later. Again, the Bombers took the lead as Justin Bowers took a feed from Jarret Lukin and Nino Musitelli for power play goal at 9:49. The period would end knotted at two after another Jackals goal.

In the second, Elmira would take a 3-2 lead when Steve Yetman scored his team-leading 20th of the year past the Bombers’ David Shantz. Newly acquired forward Matt Auffrey, in his first game with the Bombers, scored his seventh of the season with assists from Les Reaney and Chwedoruk at the 12 minute mark.

The Bombers regained the lead in the third when Lukin netted his 20th of the year from Bowers and Musitelli. Again the Jackals would even the score at four goals a piece with their second 5-on-3 tally of the game. Kaleb Betts would give Elmira a 5-4 lead on an unassisted goal at 9:12 in the frame. Yetman would tack on an insurance goal with less than five minutes remaining for a 6-4 Jackals lead. The Bombers would not back down, as Musitelli was assisted by Bowers and Kelly Perrault to bring the score to 6-5 with under a minute remaining in regulation.

Goalie David Shantz was 36 of 42 on the night for the loss, while Michael Teslak went 37 of 42. The Bombers were 1 of 3 with the man advantage and 5 of 7 on the penalty kill.

The Bombers hit the road this week to face Wheeling on Friday, which will be available on WONE 980AM, then on Saturday and Sunday the Bombers will face off against the Reading Royals.

Action returns to the Nutter Center on March 13 and 14 when the Elmira Jackals come to town for a pair of 7:30 p.m. match ups. Individual tickets start at just $10 for kids under 18 and $15 for adults (includes parking) and can be purchased at the Nutter Center box office or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.