Important information for Bombers parents and fans who are planning on attending this year’s WSHL Shootout Showcase Tournament.

Western States Hockey League
Shootout Showcase 2012

December 16-20, 2011

Host Hotel:
Stratosphere Hotel and Casino
2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104

Arena:
Las Vegas Ice Arena
9295 W. Flamingo,
Las Vegas, NV 89147
(702) 320-7777

Las Vegas Ice Arena is approximate 20 min. drive from the host hotel

Spectator Admission Pricing:
Adult – Showcase Pass = $45.00
Adult – Day Pass = $15.00
Children under 16 and Seniors 65 and over ½ price.

The WSHL has recently published the game schedule for the 2011 Shootout Tourney.  The Bombers have the following games scheduled:

12/17 8:00 AM – Bombers vs. New Mexico Rengades
12/18 3:45 PM – Bombers vs.  Ogden Mustangs
12/19 10:30 AM – Bombers vs. Dallas Ice Jets
12/20 12:30 PM – Bombers vs. Cheyenne Stampede

Please view the WSHL Shootout schedule for specific rink locations.

IMPORTANT – The 11/27 contest between the Bombers and the Valencia Flyers has been changed to a 1:00 pm (PST) start time.   Please mark your calendars accordingly.

The Bombers are hosting a Movember Celebration Game against the San Diego Jr. Gulls this Saturday 11/12/11.  Puck is set to drop at 7:45 pm at Glacial Gardens Skating Arena in Lakewood, CA.  Free admission and one free beer ticket** will be granted to attendees sporting moustaches (real or fake).  Come out and cheer for the Bombers.

** must be 21 years or older to receive beer ticket

About Movember

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.  More @ http://us.movember.com

The Long Beach Bombers (7-5-1) host the second-place San Diego Gulls (8-6-2) in the back end of a home-and-home series this evening at Glacial Garden Skating Arena.  These two Western Division rivals played last night in San Diego.  Last weekend, the Bombers travelled to Phoenix and came back with four points—taking two of three games against the Knights—and pulled into a three-way tie for third place in the Western Division of the Western States Hockey League with the Knights (7-13-1) and Arizona Redhawks (7-4-1).

In the first game in Phoenix, F Eric Laporte  broke a 3-3 tie with his second goal of the game, with 10:51 remaining in the third period, and it held up for the winning goal.  The Knights threw 41 shots on the Long Beach goal but G Salvatore Tecci  made 38 saves to make Laporte’s goal hold up.  F Andy Kocoglu also had a two-goal game for the Bombers.

Phoenix came back the next night with a 7-2 win over the Bombers.  The Knights scored twice early and never looked back despite the Bombers holding a 33-29 edge in shots on goal.  F Stephen White  and F Zach Jennings  scored the Long Beach goals.  It was the team-leading 10th goal of the season for White.

The Bombers won the rubber game, 6-4, on Sunday morning—scoring two goals in each period.  F Tyler Forest scored a hat trick and added an assist for a point-point game.

“Without our #1 Center, Robby Johnson, rookie Tyler Forest really took his game to a new level,” said Bombers head coach Chris White.  “His efforts were rewarded with his first career hat-trick.”

It was the third time in the last five games that Forest has had there or more points in a game (5-5-10 in that span).  Tecci was back between the pipes after a night off, and made 35 saves in the win.

Newly-acquired LW Dante Patron had a strong weekend, dishing out two assists.  Two-game suspensions to Kocoglu and D Guy Laporte were handed out on Sunday, so they will not play this weekend.

“We are happy with the development of our team, as a whole, and satisfied with winning two-of-three games the last three series,” said Coach White.  “Still, we have plenty of room to improve, and we are focused on putting forth a solid effort each period, each game, and each series.”

In addition to Patron playing in his first home game on Saturday, the Bombers are extremely proud to welcome D Brian White.  He has played the past two seasons in the Tier II Junior A North American Hockey League for the Wichita Falls Wildcats, and will be looked at to provide instant leadership and production from Bombers’ the back end.

The Bombers also added to their goaltending depth by signing 16-year old Brendon Hanser of Billings, Montana.

Tomorrow night, Saturday 10/29, we host the Arizona Redhawks at 745p at Glacial Gardens Skating Arena. Any fan wearing a costume will receive FREE ENTRY into the game! Also, any fan 21+ in costume will receive ONE FREE DRAFT BEER ticket to redeem at the Igloo Pub! Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan, you want to bring out the kids/family for an entertaining/festive evening, or you just want the free beer – come on out to rock the Garden & support your Bombers!!!

Stephen White led the Bombers two-win effort in Park City with 6 goals & 2 assists

The Bombers host the Arizona Redhawks (6-3) this weekend, at Glacial Garden Skating Arena. Long Beach is coming off a three-game series in Park City, UT against the Park City Moose. The Bombers took two of three from the Moose, on their first long road trip of the young season. Friday night was a 4-3 loss. Head Coach Chris White explained, “We came out a little flat on Friday, and spent far too much time in the penalty box. We made our push too late, and didn’t deserve a win.” Pat Acosta netted his first career goal for the Bombers, and defenseman Roman Li added two assists on the evening.

Saturday night, the Bombers earned their second win of the season, with a 5-1 final. Coach White noted, “Saturday was a very strong effort. The game got a little chippy, but rookie goaltender Andrew Freeman gave a very strong effort for his first career victory.” Linemates Stephen White & Robby Johnson combined for three goals & 2 assists in the win. Darren Chavez recorded is his first career goal, while rookies David Shaby & Alex Muse dished out their first career assists.

Sunday, the Bombers looked to finish the series with another victory, before hopping on the bus back to Long Beach. They did just that, with a 7-4 win. Coach White said, “The final game of the series started slow for us, but a great second period paved the way for another win. Our special teams really took the game over. Our power play went 3-for-8 and our penalty kill did not allow a goal on 5 chances for the Moose. We changed up our power play units, heading into the weekend, and it really paid off (7 PPG in 3 Gms). We killed off a five-minute major, and a couple 5-on-3′s, as part of our 23-for-23 penalty killing effort. A few of the Bombers earned their first career points (Acosta, Muse, & Shaby), along with Acosta, Chavez, & G. Laporte scoring their first career goals. More importantly, our top line of Robby Johnson, Eric Laporte, & Stephen White really stepped up. They created opportunities all weekend, and were rewarded in the boxscores.”

Since giving up a power play goal with 1:14 remaining, in a one-goal road loss to the Valencia Flyers on October 14, the Bombers have killed-off 30 straight penalties. On the other side, the Bombers opened the season 0-for-22 on the power play, in their first four games. However, the Bombers caught fire in Park City, as they went 7-for-20 (35%) in the series.

The Bombers (3-4) will, again, look to their top line of Robby Johnson (3G, 6A), Eric Laporte (4G, 6A), & team point leader Stephen White (8G, 3A) to get them above the .500 mark for the season.

Thus far, the Arizona Redhawks have swept the Dallas Snipers, in Dallas, taken 2-of-3 from the New Mexico Renegades, and picked up one victory in a three-game series with the San Diego Gulls. Forward Theodore Campe has 9 goals in 9 games, along with 7 helpers. Goaltender Max Schanza has recorded 5 wins in 6 starts. Defenseman Devin Smith is on a point-per-game clip through 9 games, with 3 goals & 6 assists.

The 2011 Western States Shootout will commence Friday December 16th at the Las Vegas Ice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bombers will join 17 Junior A teams to participate in this year’s 36 game tournament.

The Long Beach Bombers picked up their first win of the young season on Saturday, with a road effort over the Valencia Flyers. The Bombers split the two-game series, with a 3-2 loss Friday, and a 4-2 victory Saturday. Next up for the Bombers is a three-game trip to Park City, Utah, where they will take on the Park City Moose.

Goaltender Salvatore Tecci started both games, and racked up 66 Saves. Coach White noted, “Sal’s play kept us in both games, and specifically, his 2nd Period on Saturday allowed our team to have a chance to weather the storm and give a solid 3rd Period effort for our first win.” Forward Stephen White had a two-goal weekend. “Stephen is a crafty winger that can create opportunities for himself and others on a regular basis, when he is competing,” Coach White explained. Veteran winger Eric Laporte had a 1-Goal, 2-Assist weekend, sealing Saturday’s game with an Empty-Net tally. Rounding out the White/Laporte line was Robby Johnson, at center. Coach stated, “Robby fought through some pain all weekend, and gave a great effort in the face-off circle, and on the penalty kill. His defensive play to save a power play goal on Saturday, combined with his last-minute defensive zone face-off win, were huge components to the Bombers’ first win.” Tyler Forest picked up a goal and an assist, both career firsts. “Tyler has really developed his game in a short period of time,” Coach White stressed, “he has become one of our top penalty-killers, and has been rewarded more minutes for his effort-level and production.” Forwards Justin Hopkinson, and Captain Billy Borrmann, also lit the lamp over the weekend. “We have really grown as a team over the last few weeks. Many of our younger players are like sponges at this point; which, has lead to quick development as far as their understanding of the overall game,” Coach White emphasized. “I truly feel we are on the right track, individually, and as a whole, to accomplish our primary goal of making the WSHL Playoffs,” he concluded.

The Bombers are now 1-3 in the young season, and look to build off their first victory as the head out on their first long road-trip of the 2011-2012 season.

Long Beach Bombers main tryout camp will take place August 26-28 at the Glacial Garden Skating Arena in Lakewood, CA.  Following the camp, the 2011-2012 Bomber selections will report to Preseason training camp on September 7th with exhibition games planned for September 11th and 18th.  The season is just around the corner!

Registration Form is attached below:

2011 Tryout Registration Form

Update:  Interested parties may contact Bombers Head Coach Chris White:

Chris White
cwhite@jrbombers.org
(714)  231-2538