Aviators lose fourth straight in Horn and Jensen’s return to Danbury
ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (12-18-3-1) lacked sufficient offense in a 4-1 loss to the Danbury Hat Tricks (14-18-2-0) Friday night.
Elmira was looking for its first win in 2025 at the place the Aviators won their first game in team history in September of 2024, at Danbury Ice Arena.
However, the Hat Tricks had the energy and goals in the first 40 minutes. Former Aviator Kai Elkie set the tone with the game’s opening goal in the first period. Elkie would later add an assist for a multi-point night in his first game against his old club.
Elmira defensemen Andrew Horn and Drew Jensen played in their first game back at their old home Friday night, but the pair could not propel the Aviators to victory.
Momentum swung harshly in Danbury’s favor just over five minutes into the middle period.
Despite trailing early, the Aviators had a solid opening 20 plus minutes, outshooting the Hat Tricks and creating some chances. Elmira received a power play still trailing only 1-0 early in the second period.
The power play controlled possession and got off powerful shots to start. One such attempt struck Danbury’s Svante Strandberg hard and from close range. Strandberg could hardly move and the Aviators five-on-four became a five-on-three.
However, the Aviators could not finish the chance and Strandberg hobbled back to the bench. Ameen Ghosheh then picked up a loose puck out in center and skated onto a shorthanded breakaway.
Ghosheh buried the chance and doubled Danbury’s lead.
Just a couple of minutes later Niko Tournas scored to put the Hat Tricks up by three heading into the third period.
Cooper Eberhardt got Elmira’s lone tally on scramble play to get the Aviators back into it. But Elmira’s power play continued to struggle as Danbury went on to win 4-1.
Elmira will go for the series split tomorrow night back at Danbury Ice Arena at 7 p.m.
The games can be streamed on NATV and listened to on Big Foot Country Legends.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].