Troy Bruins Hockey Team - Troy, Ohio

 
 
Findlay, OH - The Troy Bruins (13-8-1) completed the weekend sweep with in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl with a solid 7-3 victory at the Huntington Bank Arena at The Cube in Findlay.

In similar fashion to the Bruins Friday night's 7-4 victory over the Grrrowl, Troy opened the scoring early in the first period, with Justin Laconte setting up veteran forward Derek McPherson for the game's first goal at the 14:38 mark. Bruins captain Lee McClure would add to the lead at the 13:00 mark, rushing in on net and pounding in an unassisted goal. Findlay would finally find the back of the net with 6:04 to go in the opener, cutting the Troy lead back to one, before Bruins leading scorer Josh Tucker notched his first goal of the afternoon to lead his team into the first intermission ahead 3-1.

Findlay would come out with a quick goal to start the second period, bringing the Grrrowl back to within one goal, before Bruins rookie forward Alex Barngrover capitalized on an even strength chance in front of the net, assisted by Cory Evelyn at 10:27. While the Bruins would be able to keep the Grrrowl off the scoreboard for the remainder of the middle period, Derek McPherson generated a turnover in the neutral zone, eventually scoring an unassisted short-handed goal at the 3:11 mark to close out the period ahead 5-2.

Neither team would be able to generate much offense in the first half of the third period, while Bruins starting netminder Chad Karns came up with several key saves between the pipes. On the powerplay, Findlay would score their final goal of the game with just under six minutes to go in regulation, before Bruins captain Lee McClure led Troy’s final charge with his second goal of the afternoon assisted by Laconte at 3:24, before Garrett Wall scored the seventh and final goal of the contest assisted by Tucker with just 2:11 to go, securing the 7-3 victory. Final shots on goal would favor the Grrrowl 37-35 after regulation.

Both teams will rematch next Saturday and Sunday in Findlay.
 
 
Findlay, OH - The Troy Bruins improved to 12-8-1 with a roller coaster win over in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl at the Huntington Bank Arena at The Cube Friday night.

The first period would see the Bruins opening the scoring at the 17:08 mark, thanks to Huber Heights native Garrett Wall banging in a pass from Kyle Pierson and Sean Hagerty, before the Grrrowl would tie up the score in the second half of the first frame to tie the game after twenty minutes.

Findlay came out in the second with an early goal to take their first lead of the night, before Justin Laconte would tie the score once more off assists from Justin Dornhecker and Trent Iffland at 13:33. In what seemed to be a methodical rhythm, the Grrrowl once again took the lead with just 3:47 to go in the period before Dornhecker answered with his first goal of the contest to once again skate into the intermission tied, now 3-3.

Troy found its determination for the third, notching a K's Hamburger Shop powerplay goal just three minutes in thanks to a hard angle shot from Lee McClure. The Bruins would buck the evening's scoring trend with their fifth goal of the night at the 9:53 mark, once again by McClure and assisted by Cory Evelyn. Findlay finally answered to cut the lead back to one at 8:54, before Dornhecker once again found the back of the net assisted by McClure to once again take a two goal lead at the 7:22 mark. Bruins leading scorer, and former Findlay Grrrowl Josh Tucker would put a bow on the Bruins offensive performance with a goal with just 4:19 to go in regulation, assisted by Aaron Huber and Iffland to secure the 7-4 final score and the Bruins twelfth win of the year.

Troy outshot the Grrrowl 39 to 30, with Bruins netminder Allan Dowler earning his second win against the Grrrowl this season.

Both teams rematch on Sunday afternoon at 2pm in Findlay.
 
 
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Troy, OH - Invited as the presenting speakers for this week's Troy Optimist Club meeting by club President Thomas Funderburg, Troy Bruins President Rick Szabo and Vice President JT Szabo gave an informative and entertaining presentation on the inner workings of the minor league hockey team, as well as the basics on the sport, positions and equipment. Additionally, both Szabos answered questions from those in attendance, and provided complimentary tickets and pocket schedules for the Optimist members.

After presenting at several other service clubs and organizations from around the Northern Miami Valley, the Bruins leadership were happy to finally interact with the Troy Optimists during their regularly scheduled Monday luncheon at the Tin Roof restaurant overlooking the Great Miami River in Troy. Pictured are Optimist leader Thomas Funderburg and Bruins President Rick Szabo.

Groups, businesses or organizations wishing to have the Bruins speak at their next function, or who would like information on having a player and mascot appearance, are encouraged to call the Bruins at (937) 985-PUCK or email jt@troybruins.com.
 
 
After the thrilling 7-5 win over Team Ulysse from Quebec, Canada on Saturday night at Troy's historic Hobart Arena, Ulysse fired back with a powerful 10-3 Sunday victory over the Bruins.

In a game which both Bruins netminders, Colin Fischer and Allan Dowler saw action, only three goals were mustered out of a fatigued Bruins offense. Bruins leading goal scorer Josh Tucker got Troy on the board with an unassisted goal at the 11:47. Justin Laconte added to the Bruins tally off a crisp pass from Kazakhstan native Erik Levin at the 9:01 mark of the second period, before Bruins captain Lee McClure notched the final Troy goal with a blasting slapshot from the far circle at the 16:01 mark of the third period. Despite the score, the Bruins actually out shot Ulysse 48-28 after sixty minutes.

With the weekend split, Troy now drops their record to 10-8-1 and travels to the Huntington Bank Arena in Findlay to battle the Grrrowl next weekend.
 
 
Troy, OH- With a two-game winning streak at their backs, the Troy Bruins (10-7-1) prepare to host Team Ulysse from Quebec, Canada for the second time this season at the historic Hobart Arena in downtown Troy.

The Bruins most recent activity has provided a boost to the hockey club, thanks to a pair of offensive-minded victories over in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl on the road. Thursday night proved to be a pivotal date for the first year club, earning their milestone tenth win of the season, and Bruins rookie netminder and former Oxford-Talawanda High School standout Allan Dowler his first shutout (second in team history) in only his first career start.

Ulysse has also been on a streak of late, making short work of the Jamestown Jets with a clean sweep last weekend in Montreal. Like their one previous endeavor into Troy's comfy confines of Hobart Arena in October, Ulysse comes prepared with plenty of speed, depth and two-way ability, complete with a French Canadian accent.

Troy boasts a number of additions to the active roster since these two clubs have met last, including most recent acquisitions Manny Lopez, a defenseman from San Jose, California; Matt Parker, a power forward from Trenton, Ontario, Canada (who also picked up his first goal as a Bruin in his first game on Thursday); and the return of fan favorite forward Cory Evelyn, who returns from suburban Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Additional roster changes include the addition of Jake Beringer and Justin Laconte, as well as a number change with Huber Heights, Ohio native Garrett Wall making the switch from #6 to #18.

This weekend's home stand against Team Ulysse also marks the final home appearance for the Bruins in 2009. Saturday night's game is "Scout Night" and "Army Night", complete with the first 250 fans receiving a free Troy Bruins Zing Ring Thrower courtesy of Balloon Creations, Inc.

Additionally, the Bruins have teamed up with the St. Pat's Soup Kitchen in Troy to host a special Food Drive on Saturday night, with fans encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be dropped off at the front entrance. Fans making a donation will receive a complimentary ticket to Sunday afternoon's matinee rematch with Team Ulysse at Hobart Arena.

General admission tickets for all Bruins home games are only $7 with free parking on site, as well as special $6 discount tickets available for groups of ten or more, students, seniors or military with valid ID and area youth hockey players wearing their jersey.

Saturday night's game will also air on the Troy Bruins Hockey Network, simulcast on Channel 5 in Miami County, www.MiamiCountyPost.com and Flashback96 with the "Voice of the Bruins" JT Szabo handling the call.

For more information on the Bruins, call (937) 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com
 
 
The Troy Bruins earned their tenth win of the season on Thursday night with a 3-0 victory over in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl at the Huntington Bank Arena at The Cube, with Bruins rookie netminder Allan Dowler picking up his first career shut out in his first-ever start.

Both teams would remain scoreless until the third period, when the Bruins came alive, thanks to goals from Lee McClure, Aaron Huber and newly acquired forward Matt Parker.

With the win, the Bruins are now 10-7-1, and prepare to host Team Ulysse at the historic Hobart Arena this weekend.

 
 
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Troy Bruins have teamed up with the St. Pat's Soup Kitchen in downtown Troy to host a special Food Drive during their regularly scheduled Saturday night home game against Canada Ulysse at the historic Hobart Arena at 8pm.

St. Pat's Soup Kitchen, located at St. Patrick's church in downtown Troy and at Richard's Chapel on McKaig Avenue, has provided healthy and nutritious meals five days a week to anyone in need for years. As they prepare for the Holidays, and the large strain it places on resources, the Soup Kitchen is alarmingly low on several key items, such as Canned Milk, Canned corn and green beans, Mashed Potatoes (boxed) and Powered Drink Mix (Gatorade or Kool-Ade, etc) in addition to other non-perishable food items.

Fans attending Saturday night's game are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item with them to be dropped off at the Front entrance. Doors open to the public starting at 7:00pm, and donations will be accepted throughout the game. As a special "Thank You" to fans who donate an item to the Soup Kitchen, the Bruins will provide one complimentary ticket per person to Sunday afternoon's 1:30pm home game rematch at Hobart Arena against the same Team Ulysse.

Putting the event together was Bruins Vice President JT Szabo, who noted "Our family-owned organization is committed to helping our community and those who live in it, and the Bruins are proud to partner with such a great cause."

For more information on the St. Pat's Soup Kitchen,
please call (937) 335- 7939.

For more information on the Bruins, please call (937) 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
As a special treat for a hard week of practice and a back to back workout at Crossfit Troy, Bruins players, coaches and staff visited K's Hamburger Shop on the square in downtown Troy Wednesday afternoon for a team meal.

K's, a local Troy landmark, is family owned and will celebrate it's 75th anniversary next year. K's is also the official presenting sponsor of each and every Bruins Powerplay all season long.


 
 
Troy, OH - The Troy Bruins hockey team received another boost in on-ice talent, this time featuring the return of fan-favorite forward Cory Evelyn and the addition of defenseman Manny Lopez and forward Matt Parker.

Evelyn, a native of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, played two games for the Bruins earlier this season, making an immediate impact offensively. "He's definitely got the size to intimidate the opponents, and the skating ability to take advantage of that" noted Bruins head coach Shane Hicke, whom had previously coached Evelyn with the Innisfil Lakers last season in Ontario. Listed at 6'1" and 175 pounds, Evelin has been scouted heavily by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and like the rest of the Bruins roster, hopes his stay in Troy will allow him to develop and continue to move onto the higher levels of the game.

Hicke was also able to secure another former player, as defenseman Manny Lopez made his arrival to the Miami Valley last Wednesday and was in the lineup for last Friday night's victory over the Findlay Grrrowl. Lopez, a native of San Jose, California, was inspired to lace up a pair of skates at an early age by relatives in an area dominated by soccer, with his hockey career taking him away from southern California and to such places as Helena, Montana and northern Ontario, Canada, before coming to Troy. Like Evelyn, Lopez spent last season playing for the Innisfil Lakers of the GMHL under current Bruins coach Shane Hicke.

Joining Evelyn on his flight into Dayton International Airport was friend and fellow Canadian Matt Parker. A native of Trenton, Ontario, Canada, Parker spent the first half of the season with the Picton Pirates in the Empire Hockey League northeast of Toronto. A winger, Parker will step onto the ice at Hobart for the first time on Wednesday, and like Lopez and Evelyn, will be in action for this weekend's games.

The Bruins return to action this Thursday night at 8pm when they travel to take on the Findlay Grrrowl at The Cube, before hosting Team Ulysse from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday, November 21 at 8pm and Sunday, November 22 at 1:30pm at Hobart Arena. Saturday night is "Scout Night" and "Army Night", with the first 250 fans receiving a special Zing Ring thrower courtesy of Balloon Creations, Inc. General Admission tickets are just $7, with a $1 discount available for groups of ten or more, as well as students, seniors, military or youth hockey players with valid ID. For more information, call the Bruins at (937) 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
With the adjustment to the NJHL schedule leaving the Bruins without a Saturday night game in Findlay, Troy Bruins President Rick Szabo and Head Coach Shane Hicke decided to enjoy an afternoon intra-squad "Shinny" at the historic Hobart Arena in Troy.

Shinny, a Canadian term for "Drop In" or open hockey, was a staple for Szabo growing up in Grimsby, Ontario prior to his decade plus long career as a professional netminder, as well as Hicke, the son of former NHL star Ernie Hicke.

The Bruins donned their uniforms for an informal afternoon matchup as part of the Troy Recreation Department's "Super Saturday" event at the arena, which saw each Troy Youth Bruins team play throughout the day. To make the event even more special, Szabo and Hicke laced them up as well, with Hicke playing forward for the "Black" team, coached by Bruins veteran defenseman Trent Iffland, and Szabo playing in net for the "White Team" coached by Szabo's son and team Vice President JT Szabo.

Szabo has been working very closely with all four Bruins goaltenders, teaching and reinforcing correct technique and skills.

While Hicke's team may have won the fun event, Szabo returned to the net at Hobart nearly 25 years after coming to the city to play for the former Troy Sabres of the CoHL, his final professional destination as a player. While the Sabres would cease operations just prior to the 1988 season, their league would become the East Coast Hockey League, now simply called ECHL, the premier AA hockey league in North America.