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TDN Photo - Anthony Weber

Hobart welding student skating for Troy team

By Jim Davis TDN Staff Writer

John Rubel knew he'd be wearing a helmet and gloves when he came to Troy late last year, but wearing them on the ice wasn't part of the plan.
A student at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology since early December, the 19-year-old Flint, Mich. native has been "moonlighting" since early February as a forward for the Troy Bruins Junior-A hockey club.

And doing pretty well at it, too.

Since temporarily trading in his welding mask and gloves for hockey gear and a pair of borrowed skates last month, Rubel has been an instrumental part of the team's success. Through eight games, he's registered 12 points on six goals and six assists - including a four-goal explosion Feb. 12 in a 13-0 shutout of Philadelphia.

"I'm having fun," said Rubel, who was out of hockey for nearly a year when he joined the Bruins. "I had forgotten what it was like (and) I really enjoy it - everything about it - the fighting, playing in front of the fans. All of it."

His offensive production has been a plus for the Bruins as the team locked up a playoff spot in its inaugural campaign. But, perhaps more importantly for Rubel, he's having fun and getting a shot at winning a championship. Which is something that eluded him at every level he's played at.

"I've never won a championship. I went to the high school championships twice (without winning), so this is my last chance to win something," he said. "I'm not the player I used to be, but I'm having fun. I'm playing hockey just for the pure fun of it. "I'm not working to get somewhere, I'm just working to win something and have fun."

Born in Flint and raised in Swartz Creek, Mich., Rubel said he caught the hockey bug early and hasn't been able to shake it. "The first time I picked up a stick and started skating was when I was about 4 years old ... and I got to the point where I was playing street hockey out in front of the house for 12 hours a day," he remembered. "My parents finally just said 'Alright, it's time to get on the ice.'"

Rubel went on to star at Flint Powers Catholic High School, where he was named first team all-state his senior year, then pursued junior hockey in the North American League and Central States Hockey League before getting a little burned out. "I was the captain as a rookie and it just made things hard. They fired the coach ... and I just didn't like it," he said. "I finally got traded to my hometown team in Flint ... and after that I just didn't want to play anymore." That all changed when he got to Troy.

"I was actually on Google and was looking for something to do, trying to learn something about (Troy)," he said. "Something about Troy Bruins hockey came up ... and I found out they had a Junior A team here." Rubel met with some Bruins officials "and I said I'm maybe looking to skate a little, mainly just to practice - or if they needed a player in an emergency situation." He's been more than just an emergency fill-in player. "He's been able to come in and play on a line that has been productive offensively and defensively," said Bruins Head Coach Shane Hicke, referring to the line of Rubel, Justin Dornhecker and Derek McPherson. "He's very good technically and has had a lot of good hockey coaching.

"It's just funny that he (comes to town), hears that there is a team and kind of finds us," he continued. "He was interested in possibly playing hockey while he was in town, and at that time we were looking for someone. He was one of the guys that fit the bill."

While playing hockey has helped make his stay in Troy enjoyable, Rubel said pursuing a career in welding remains his priority. 'I want to get into pipe welding to be a pipe fitter, like my buddy," said Rubel, who attends class seven hours a day, five days a week through August. "It flies right by. I enjoy it so much it feels like I'm there only two hours a day. I look forward to going there every day."

For now, Hicke is just glad he's able to bring some of that energy to the ice as the Bruins strive for a league crown. "He's created that passion to play hockey again ... and he's been a great addition for us," he said. "It's been a win-win situation."

For more information about the Troy Bruins, visit www.troybruins.com.
 
 
Philadelphia, PA - The Troy Bruins, one night removed from a fatigue-driven loss to the Philadelphia Thunder, got down to basics in Sunday afternoon's rematch to take away the 7-5 victory in the final regular season meeting between the two clubs.

Still faced with a shortage of top players in the active lineup, the Bruins skated onto the ice in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon for one final time this season to rematch the Thunder club who wore them down for their first win against Troy less than 24 hours prior. Right off the opening faceoff, it would seem that history would repeat itself, with the Thunder catching a sluggish Bruins team off guard for two quick goals less than five minutes into the game to take the early 2-0 lead. For Bruins forward Gleb Luchnikov, a native of Serov, Russia, the hockey instinct that he has had since childhood would take over, allowing him to rush into the Thunder zone at the 13:51 mark and roof a shot past the goalie's shoulder to put the Bruins on the board and spark his teammates looking on. Like a cold engine needing to warm up, the Bruins offense machinery seemingly sprung to life, if only running on fumes, to tie the game less than a minute later at 12:41 thanks to the efforts of Derek McPherson and assisted by Leonid Kovalev on an even strength goal. For the second night in a row, Philadelphia's depth on the bench would prove to be the greatest challenge to the Bruins, striking the Thunder's go-ahead goal at 10:30 to recapture the lead at 3-2 off a rebound bounce in front of Bruins starting netminder Allan Dowler. Again coming to the rescue would be Luchnikov with an unassisted slick stick-handling goal from the slot just :67 seconds later to even the score at 3-3 before Luchnikov would feed veteran forward Lee McClure with a crisp centering pass in front of the crease to take an earned 4-3 lead into the dressing room after twenty minutes of play. Despite trailing on the scoreboard, Philadelphia would outshoot the Bruins in the first 20-14.

On Saturday night, the second period would prove to the the eventual downfall of the Bruins, yet head coach Shane Hicke and General Manager Rick Szabo would rally their players to prevent a similar outcome on Sunday. Not only did it keep the Thunder from scoring during the middle period, but the Bruins would actually muster enough offense throughout the twenty minute stanza to extend their lead by two. First for Troy would be Luchnikov's third goal of the game at 13:43, earning him a "hat trick" to take a 5-3 lead, before Lee McClure would bounce in his second goal of the night with less than three minutes remaining, an unassisted goal at 2:48 to make it a three point game heading into the second intermission leading the home Thunder 6-3.

Yet, for the Thunder, their regular season finale would be worth fighting for in the third period, making it an exciting third period for Philly and Troy fans alike. Keeping Dowler occupied throughout the final period would eventually lead to a Thunder goal with 4:17 to go in regulation, signaling Philadelphia's charge to get back into the game. Approaching two minutes remaining in the period, the Thunder pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, eventually setting up a shot from the far point that screamed its way past Dowler with 1:42 showing on the scoreboard, slicing the Bruins lead down to one headed towards the final horn. While Dowler would stand his ground in the Bruins defensive end, McClure would utilize every ounce of his effort to create a breakout into neutral ice and eventually towards the empty Philadelphia net for the cushion goal, and his second consecutive "hat trick" of the weekend. By the time the horn blew to end regulation, the Bruins had withstood the Thunder for a hard fought 7-5 victory, ending the season for the last-place Thunder on their home ice. Despite the Thunder having nearly double the players in uniform, Bruins President & General Manager commended his players, simply stating that "talent made the difference tonight". Final shots on goal through sixty minutes favored Philadelphia 39-22.

With the win, the Bruins improve their record to 30-13-1, earning the franchise's thirtieth win of the season and remain in clinched second place in the NJHL headed into their regular season finale next weekend at home. The Bruins host in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl this Saturday, March 13 at 8pm and Sunday, March 14 at 1:30pm inside the historic Hobart Arena. This weekend's series will be a tribute to the fans and sponsors who made the return of the Troy Bruins possible during the 2009-2010 season, with special prizes, giveaways and contests planned both days to say "thank you". For more information, call the Bruins at 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
Philadelphia, PA - With several key players out of the lineup, the second place Troy Bruins made the trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for one final weekend series against the Philadelphia Thunder on Saturday night, falling by a final score of 9-6.

The Bruins would dust off their "bus legs" early, jumping out to an early lead on the first K's Hamburger Dhop powerplay of the night, as Jordan Carpender found the stick of Corey Evelyn who buried his shot to light the lamp just 1:30 into the contest. Keeping the energy flowing throughout the period, veteran leadership would extend the lead to two at the 13:42 mark, with Lee McClure blasting in a shot unassisted, before McClure would add his second of the night at the 5:09 mark, this time with an assist to Bruins starting netminder Allan Dowler, to make it a 3-0 game. With time winding down in the opening frame, it would be Evelyn again to set up offense in front of the Philly net, with a crisp centering pass to Danville, California native Derek McPherson with only :41 showing on the large scoreboard hanging above center ice. Despite the tempo being controlled by an energized Bruins club throughout the period, Philadelphia would capitalize on an errant bounce in front of a nearly flawless Dowler for the upsetting goal with only nine seconds to go, making it a 4-1 game after twenty minutes.

After seemingly squeezing every drop of effort out of his shorthanded club in the first period, Bruins head coach Shane Hicke would be forced to watch a role reversal in the second, with the Thunder controlling much of the tempo, led by a Philly goal scored less than a minute off the opening faceoff, followed by two additional goals past the halfway mark to chip away at the Bruins stockpile lead, eventually knocking the tying goal past the shoulder of an overworked Dowler at the 3:21 mark to even the score at 4-4. Again it would be veteran leadership from the Bruins that would make the difference, with McClure taking matters into his own hands with 1:15 to go in the period, as he capitalized off a point pass from defenseman Erik Levin to take the 5-4 lead into the dressing room after forty minutes. Most telling, Philadelphia's full compliment of players outshot the short staffed Bruins 40-18 after two periods.

Philadelphia would open it up in the third period, scoring three quick goals, two of which were on the Thunder powerplay, before Jordan Carpender mustered the Bruins sixth goal of the night unassisted to cut the Philly lead back to one with just 1:41 to go in regulation. Despite the exhaustion and fatigue of a full three periods with several key players out of the lineup, the game finally boiled over in the final minute, erupting into fisticuffs, with the Thunder cashing in on the resulting powerplays to squeak two more goals past Dowler to secure the 9-6 final score, securing Philidelphia's first-ever win against the Bruins. Final shots would favor the Thunder 58-23.

The Bruins drop their record to 29-13-1, holding on to their clinched second place, and rematch the Thunder for the final time this season on Sunday afternoon before coming home to the historic Hobart Arena for the final time to host the Findlay Grrrowl on Saturday, March 13 at 8pm and Sunday, March 14 at 1:30pm. For more information, call the Bruins at 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
Troy, OH - It only seems fitting that the Bruins would sweep the Findlay Grrrowl with an 8-7 sudden death shootout win on Sunday afternoon, the identical score that the Grrrowl employed to defeat the Bruins in their last meeting prior to Saturday night's 5-2 Bruins win in front of a record crowd of 1,217 inside the historic Hobart Arena as part of Deaf Awareness Night and Hits 105.5 Night.

After the record-size crowd pleaser on Saturday night, the Bruins struggled early to begin the Sunday afternoon matinee rematch, with Findlay finding their stride to cash in on a quick goal to start the game less than five minutes in. For Shane Hicke's Bruins club, it would take a K's Hamburger Shop powerplay to shake off the rust, as Danville, California native Derek McPherson connected on a pass from Aaron Huber to even the score 1-1 at the 5:58 mark. Yet, the Grrrowl found success on their powerplay chances as well, scoring their second go-ahead goal of the game on the man advantage with 3:33 to go in the period, before a surging Corey Evelyn would bang in a setup feed from Lee McClure to once again force the tie just :33 later at the three minute mark. In a first period marred with defending zone giveaways, the Bruins would turnover the puck into the slot for the third Grrrowl goal with just 10.4 showing on the clock, sending Troy into the first intermission trailing 3-2. Findlay would lead in shots 17-10 after twenty minutes.

History would repeat itself early in the second, with the Grrrowl bouncing in a rebound past starting netminder Alexander Kuzmenko to take a two goal lead, but the Bruins regrouped and refocused, ultimately leading to Justin Dornhecker's end to end rush towards the Grrrowl net, stuffing the puck to light the lamp and cut the lead back to one at the 14:17 mark. In what seemed to be hockey's equivalent to a "swap meet", it was then the Grrrowl's turn to score at the 13:33 mark to reclaim the double point lead. Despite chances in the attacking zone, the Bruins would be unable to chip away at the Findlay lead until nearing the midway point in the game, when Flint, Michigan native and Hobart Welding institute student John Rubel capitalized on a centering pass from Russia natives Egor Pogodin-Alexeev and Gleb Luchnikov at 10:53. While Kuzmenko would blank the Grrrowl for the remainder of the period, the Bruins would add the tying goal just less than a minute later at the 10:54 mark with fellow European Leonid Kovalev dekeing the Findlay netminder and plowing the puck to the back of the net, assisted by Rubel and Erik Levin. After forty minutes, both clubs headed into the second intermission deadlocked at 5, with Findlay out shooting the Bruins 29-21.

Findlay would continue to control the flow of the game into the first half of the third period, with the Grrrowl breaking the tie at the 13:40 mark before extending the lead back to two with only 4:16 to go in regulation. A controversial hit away from the play knocked Rubel from his feet, colliding violently with the boards after he was blatantly hit from behind, eventually being taken by the medical staff into the dressing room for evaluation, despite no penalty called on the play. Trailing an opponent with time closing in for one of the first times this season at home, Bruins bench boss Shane Hicke called his one and only timeout of the game to regroup his players and recharge for their comeback attempt. Stepping onto the ice, already with a round of fisticuffs under his belt earlier in the game, Bruins forward Sean Hagerty lead the charge for the Bruins with help out of the zone by Aaron Huber and newcomer Jordan Carpender to crash the net and bang home a rebound off the end boards, shaving the lead to one with 3:23 to go in regulation. Fans would enjoy end to end action as both teams secured but could not capitalize on several chances, but would grow increasingly anxious as time continued to tick away on the scoreboard. Trailing by one, and facing a rapidly dwindling window of opportunity, the Bruins last charge up the ice would be set up by Luchnikov out of the neutral zone to a waiting Erik Levin, who would propel a blistering shot past the Findlay goaltender to tie the game with 14.1 to go in regulation. After a full sixty minutes of regulation, both teams would remain tied 7-7, with the Grrrowl out shooting the Bruins 36-32.

As per NJHL rules, the game proceeded immediately to a five round shootout, and after both teams scored twice each after the fifth round to keep the game alive. Sudden death would only last two rounds, as injured Bruins forward John Rubel made his triumphant return to the ice, sneaking the puck past the legs of the Grrrowl netminder for the game winner.

With the win, the second place Bruins improve their record to 29-12-1 and sweep the fifth place Grrrowl, who still fight to clinch the league's final playoff berth. Troy returns home for one final weekend series this season on Saturday, March 13 at 8pm and Sunday, March 14 at 1:30 in a rematch with the Findlay Grrrowl. For more information, call 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
Troy, Ohio - For the tenth and eleventh times in history, the Troy Bruins will battle in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl in NJHL regular season play, set for this weekend inside the historic Hobart Arena in downtown Troy.

After clinching second place with a pair of road wins last weekend in Philadelphia, the Bruins (27-12-1) return home to the comfy confines of the historic Hobart Arena for their second to last home weekend series of their inaugural season, this time to host I-75 rival Findlay Grrrowl on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 1:30pm. Findlay makes their return to Hobart for the first time since September, when the Grrrowl played spoiler to the Bruins home opener, then fell to a vengeful Bruins club the following day. Currently in fifth place in the NJHL, the Grrrowl cling to the final playoff spot, distancing themselves from basement dweller Philadelphia, and can officially punch their playoff ticket with a pair of wins this weekend. Yet for the surging Bruins, the eagerly awaited return home will provide the biggest challenge to the Grrrowl all season.

After making several personnel adjustments prior to the February 10 trading deadline and roster lock, Bruins head coach Shane Hicke believes that the pieces are finally together to begin their chase for an inaugural season championship. Of the newest Bruins, forward Willie Boyle made an immediate impact against Philadelphia for his debut in a Troy uniform, scoring on both days of the series, and made his name heard throughout the league. Additionally, Flint, Michigan native and former captain of the CSHL's Flint Generals John Rubel has added depth to the Bruins offense and defense, despite still wearing a loaned pair of skates. Rubel's story is unique in a way only hockey could provide, as after leaving hockey at the end of last season, Rubel relocated to Troy last fall to attend the Hobart Welding Institute and pursue a career outside of the game. It wasn't long before Rubel found himself wandering through Hobart Arena during a Bruins afternoon skate, and was approached about getting back into the sport, and is happy to finish his newly extended hockey career as one of the original "new" Troy Bruins.

Last Time Around
No one can argue the dominance the Bruins have exhibited on NJHL foes in the past several weeks, yet for Hicke, the thought of the last meeting between the Bruins and Grrrowl is still fresh in his mind.

Flashback to January 16, a snowy afternoon inside the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena as part of the 2010 NJHL All Star Showcase, a neutral site regular season game between the two Ohio rivals in an otherwise exhibition weekend of hockey featured arguably the best two and a half hours of hockey the fans in Jamestown would see all weekend. Fighting right down to the final buzzer, the Grrrowl outlasted the Bruins with a nail biting 8-7 win, in true barnburner fashion, the last goal won.

The lesson to be learned is simple for the Bruins: never underestimate your opponent. Hicke has been utilizing this and relaying it to his players in a simple but effective "play like we're facing Wooster", focusing as if playing the league's #1 team each game. Fans inside Hobart will see this theory first hand this weekend, as the Bruins put it to the test against an unpredictable Findlay team trying to salvage their season.

A Big Weekend
Fans attending Saturday night's home game against Findlay will be treated to the biggest event in the Bruins short history. Highlighting the even are two high profile promotions: Deaf Awareness Night, featuring a special elementary school performance of the National Anthem in sign language; as well as Hits 105.5 Night, rescheduled from earlier in the season due to weather concerns and featuring live broadcasts outside the Arena's main plaza as well as a souvenir giveaway to the first 500 fans. Bruins VP JT Szabo noted that as the team continues to establish itself on and off the ice, being able to properly plan for and execute large-scale events around each home game has finally become a reality. As for what's in store next, Szabo added "fans should look forward to more of this type of added Bruins family entertainment and promotions on a regular basis next season."

On The Air
Both games this weekend will be televised on delay in high definition on Channel 5 in Miami County, sending Troy Bruins hockey to nearly 45,000 living rooms around the area, as well as being broadcast live on MiamiCountyPost.com and accessible anywhere in world for free. The "voice of the Bruins" JT Szabo will handle the simulcast call presented by Fox's Pizza Den and Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.

General admission tickets for each game this weekend are only $7, with a special $1 discount available for students, seniors and military at the Hobart box office game days. For more information, call 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
 
 
Troy, OH – Nearly fifty Deaf and hearing elementary school students from Fairborn Intermediate School and Forest Elementary School in Troy will present a special performance of the National Anthem entirely in Sign Language prior to this Saturday night’s Troy Bruins hockey game at Hobart Arena as part of the Bruins “Deaf Awareness Night” festivities.

Students participating in “sign language clubs” at both Fairborn Intermediate and Forrest in Troy have been learning basic sign language skills throughout the school year, and for the past several weeks have been rehearsing the American National Anthem in preparation for Saturday’s Troy Bruins hockey game at the historic Hobart Arena. 

In addition to the special performance of the National Anthem prior to the opening faceoff, the Bruins have invited the Deaf community throughout the Miami Valley as well as local area college students enrolled in sign language courses to bring awareness to Deaf culture. The Bruins have also taken steps to make the event accessible for all, hearing and Deaf, with special captions on the large overhead video screen during the game along with other features intended to educate everyone in attendance about Deaf culture.

Putting the event together in conjunction with the Bruins staff is Fairborn Intermediate School Sign Language Interpreter and Troy resident Jamie Stockslager, who also founded the “sign language club” at Fairborn Intermediate School. “This event is a wonderful way to celebrate Deaf culture, as well as educate our neighbors, in a fun and exciting way” noted Stockslager on the event. “Our kids have been practicing for weeks, with both hearing and Deaf students eager to showcase their hard work. Our students are very excited to have this wonderful opportunity and cannot wait to perform.” Teaming up with Stockslager for the event is Forest Elementary School Title1 teacher Courtney Carpenter and Jennifer Hewitt. Hewitt noted that during a recent snow day, several parents and students called in hoping that the sign language club would still meet, showing their eagerness and excitement for the event.

For the Bruins, this special event highlights their inaugural season of providing affordable family entertainment to the Miami Valley, while giving back to their community. Saturday night’s 8:00pm game features the return of in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl, with doors opening to the public at 7:00pm. Bruins general admission tickets are just $7, with students, seniors and military receiving a $1 discount at the box office. For more information, call the Bruins office at 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.

 
 
Elkins Park, PA -  In a game that would stretch into early Sunday morning, the Troy Bruins found their legs in the second period to propel a 4-0 road win over the Philadelphia Thunder late Saturday night.

The game, originally scheduled for February 6, was postponed until Saturday night due to transportation issues, while the late starting time of 10:30pm was the first of several adversity challenges the Bruins would face during the contest. After the lengthy ten hour bus ride, the Bruins players would find less than desirable ice conditions in Philadelphia before arena officials mended repairs to the surface, pushing the start time to 10:30pm. Yet, despite the delay along with the long day on the road, Shane Hicke's Bruins club would focus on the rematch with the Thunder.

The first period would be a challenge for the Bruins, struggling to find their tempo, and as one player described "shaking off the bus legs". Both teams would trade powerplays in the opener, yet neither team could capitalize on chances on either end, with Bruins starting netminder Allan Dowler making 11 saves, leading his team into the first intermission deadlocked in a scoreless tie with the Thunder after twenty minutes of play.

Perhaps the Bruins simply needed a longer pregame warmup, as a noticeably more alive Bruins team skated onto the patched up ice to start the second period. With Dowler keeping the defensive side of the ice under control, it would be Serov, Russia native Gleb Luchnikov to lead the charge, intercepting a pass from linemate Leonoid Kovalev to light the lamp with a smooth wrist shot past the shoulder of Thunder goalie Alex DiFazio at the 13:03 mark of the second. With the control of the flow, the Bruins would once again receive a K's Hamburger Shop Powerplay, and it would be forward Justin Dornhecker to cash in with a shot from the slot at 11:56 to extend the 2-0 Bruins lead, ultimately skating into the second intermission with the two goal lead.

The third period would start out with a bang, as yet another K's Powerplay opportunity would bolster the Bruins lead 3-0, as veteran forward and the team's leading scorer Lee McClure sniped a slapshot from the point unassisted at the 15:08 mark of the third. For the Philadelphia fans who stayed into the early morning, the damage would be nearly complete, as less than a minute later the Bruins scored their final goal of the game, this time an even strength setup from the neutral zone by McClure as he connected with a streaking Corey Evelyn breaking down the wing to blast his shot at point blank range past DiFazio to make it 4-0 at 14:15. After a full sixty minutes of hockey, Dowler picked up the shutout win, the Bruins second shutout win against the Thunder in the past week to extend their second place record to an impressive 25-12-1. The Bruins and Thunder continue the makeup weekend series with the closer set for 8pm on Sunday night  before the Bruins return home to Hobart Arena for a weekend series against in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl on Saturday, February 27 at 8pm and Sunday, February 28 at 1:30pm. Tickets are only $7, and for more information call 985-PUCK or visit TroyBruins.com.
 
 
Bruins win in shootout
Dowler, Huber come up big

By Henry Conte, Troy Daily News Sports Editor

After a 13-0 drubbing of Philadelphia Saturday night at Hobart Arena, Troy was in for a bit of a closer contest Sunday afternoon.

The Bruins were able to escape with a 6-5 sudden-death shootout victory thanks to Allen Dowler and Aaron Huber.

After Dowler stopped the first five shots in the shootout - and the Bruins were stonewalled as well - Dowler stopped the first shot in sudden death and Huber made the Thunder pay for not converting by scoring the game winner.

Troy had a 5-2 lead in the third period, but goals by Philadelphia at the 6:51, 5:08 and 4:13 marks knotted the score and forced the shootout.

The Thunder got on the board early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead, but a goal by Derek McPherson, assisted by John Rubel and Justin Dornhecker, tied the score and Egor Pogodin-Alekseev gave Troy the lead at the 4:47 mark, assisted by Gleb Luchnikov. Troy's two goals were scored within 26 seconds of one another and Troy held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.

In the second, the Thunder tied the score five minutes in, but McPherson scored, assisted by Rubel and Lee McClure to make it 3-2 at the end of the second.

In the third, the Bruins went up 5-2 on goals by Willie Boyle - assisted by Luchnikov and McClure - and Luchnikov, unassisted.

Dowler finished the game with 34 saves, not including the six he made in the shootout. Troy outshot Philadelphia 48-39.

Troy, now 24-12-1, will travel to Philadelphia for a two-game series with the Thunder.
 
 
TROY, OH- Troy Sets Franchise Scoring Record in Saturday Night's 13-0 Shutout.

Saturday night saw the Troy Bruins facing off against the Philadelphia Thunder at home in Hobart Arena.  While the first period was exciting, it was no indication of what would come later. 

Troy took advantage early on some sloppy play by Philadelphia, snagging multiple stray passes and capitalizing with goals.  Troy started off with two shorthanded goals by Newly added Bruin #10 Willie Boyle and #20 Cory Evelyn, assisted by #23 Tyler Merritt.  Troy's would score once more in the first period at the 3:19 mark by #22 Derek McPherson, assisted by #6 John Ruble, ending the first period with a score of 3-0.

In the second period, Troy continued to press their lead by adding 7 more unanswered goals to extend their lead to 10-0.  #19 Aaron Huber would score first at the 13:47 mark.  Another new face to the Bruins, #6 John Ruble, assisted by #14 Erik Levin and #27 Justin Dornhecker, added goal number 5 of the night at 16:32.  #11 Leonid Kovalev, would add one more with a beautiful wrister from the top of the left wing circle at 16:16, assisted by #24 Manny Lopez and #20 Cory Evelyn.  Ruble would score on a well timed centering pass from #8 Lee McClure at 14:02.  Ruble would add another to the scoreboard at 13:06, assisted by Dornhecker and McPherson.  Goal number 9 on the night would come at 10:42 from #9 Gleb Luchnikov from Huber and Boyle.  Soon after, obvious frustration arose from the Philadelphia players, and they began to attack the puck with renewed vigor and aggression.  Unfortunately this change would not help Philadelphia's situation as they were continually outplayed through the rest of the game.  #17 Egor Pogodin-Alekseev would score his first goat of the night at 6:10, assisted by fellow Russian Kovalev.  The final two goals of the second period would come at 3:24 by Lopez from Huber; and at 3:06 by Luchnikov from Pogodin-Alekseev.  Near the end of the second period, tempers flared as minor checking exploded into all out fisticuffs earning each team several penalty minutes. 


Period three surprisingly passed very quickly with only a few penalties and one fight breaking out, seemingly due to the large amount of action in the previous period.  Ruble would score Troy's final goal at the 10:46 mark, his fourth of the night, a Texas Hat-Trick.

Troy will rematch Philadelphia Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Hobart Arena. 
 
 
Bruins Leading Scorer Josh Tucker Called Up To AAHL's Evansville IceMen

Troy, OH - The Troy Bruins are proud to announce that veteran forward Josh Tucker has been called up to the Evansville IceMen of the All American Pro Hockey League, and will make his debut for the IceMen this weekend as part of the IHL FutureStars Game at the Allen County Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

For the twenty year old Tucker, a native of suburban Columbus, this opportunity to advance his career to the next level has been his focus all season. At the time of his leaving for Evansville late last Monday night, Tucker continued his reign as the Bruins leading goal scorer, lighting the lamp an impressive 36 times; and shared the points total with recently returned captain Lee McClure with a whopping 64 points in 34 games in a Troy uniform. 

Yet, as his hockey career takes him up the ladder, he will be met with familiar faces in Evansville, just to show how small the hockey world can indeed be. The IceMen's starting netminder Jon Smarsh spent last season with Tucker on the Findlay Grrrowl, while Evansville head coach Jack Collins has made a handful of scouting trips to Hobart Arena this season after spending the past decade as assistant coach of the now defunct Dayton Bombers of the ECHL working alongside current Bruins broadcaster JT Szabo , then the radio broadcaster for the Bombers.

With the departure of Tucker, the Bruins have made some acquisitions prior to last Wednesday's 5pm trading deadline, including the signing of forward John Rubel from Flint, Michigan as well as Forward Willie Boyle from Winter Garden, Florida. For Rubel, hockey was behind him...or so he thought. After hanging up the skates, he moved to Troy in the fall to attend the Hobart Welding Institute, but happened to have the hockey bug bite him once more, deciding to finish his hockey career as a Troy Bruin.

With the acquisitions of Boyle and Rubel, as well as the return of veteran captains Lee McClure and Manny Lopez from the NAHL, the Bruins will boast a full roster as they host the Philadelphia Thunder inside the historic Hobart Arena on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 1:30pm. As always, general admission tickets are only $7, with students, seniors, military and firefighter/EMS receiving $1 off at the Hobart Box Office. For more information, call the Bruins at 985-PUCK or visit TroyBruins.com.

MORE ABOUT THE IHL FUTURESTARS GAME - Release By The AAHL

FutureStars of the IHL, Battle Creek Revolution vs. Evansville Ice Men @ Ft. Wayne, Indiana

  Battle Creek, MI-Friday, February 12th, 2010, 8 p.m. EST time, the Battle Creek Revolution, single A affiliate of the IHL Muskegon Lumberjacks, and the Evansville Ice Men, single A affiliate of the IHL Ft. Wayne Komets will try and set class A professional hockey's minor league attendance record at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Ft. Wayne, Indiana (Home of the Ft. Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League) in a AAHL regular season contest.   "This is a great opportunity for our teams and our league, as a whole", IceMen GM Chip Rossetti said. "Our players are going to get a chance to showcase themselves and our organizations are getting the chance to showcase themselves to the fans and teams at a higher level. We are very grateful to the Ft. Wayne Komets and the IHL for providing this fantastic facility to play this game."   "This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for some players and fans to be a part of something spectacular. This game is good for the teams involved and for making fans outside of the AAHL to see what our league is all about." stated Bobby Clouston, BC Revolution head coach, when asked about the February 12th Future Stars of the IHL game at Fort Wayne.