ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (13-17-5-2) lost a defensive battle to the Johnstown Tomahawks (17-14-4-2) 2-1 in a shootout at the LECOM Event Center Saturday night.
Goaltending stole the show Saturday night with Elmira’s Aiden McKenna and Johnstown’s Nikita Oleksiienko playing spectacularly for the full 65 minutes plus the shootout.
McKenna, a University of Vermont commit, backstopped the Aviators in style with 43 saves, including a couple of show stoppers. In overtime, Johnstown’s Justin Chiras unleashed a one-timer that McKenna stopped by flashing the leather at full extension.
On the other end, Oleksiienko made 37 saves on 38 shots and stopped two of three Aviator efforts in the shootout. The 2008-born netminder is now 3-0 against Elmira this season, allowing three goals across his three appearances.
The Tomahawks grabbed a 1-0 lead after the first period, but in the second, the Aviators responded with a power play tally.
Matt Maglio, Nico Pohjola and Evan Dantas combined on a sweet passing play to get the Aviators on the board and tie the game at one. Pohjola slid it cross crease, and Dantas ripped it to the top shelf for his second goal of the series.
Elmira had the better of the chances in the third period, outshooting Johnstown 14-11 in the frame, but both teams came up empty in the final 20 minutes of regulation.
Goaltending continued to reign supreme in overtime, sending the game to a shootout. The Tomahawks came out on top, going two out of three in their efforts, with newcomer Jack Sullivan scoring the winner.
Evan Dantas beat Oleksiienko in the shootout on his bid, but he was the only Aviator to score in their three attempts.
While not a perfect weekend, Elmira comes away from this weekend with three out of a maximum of four points. The Aviators sit seven points outside of a playoff spot.
Next weekend, the Aviators will hit the road to Hollydell Ice Arena for a series with the Philadelphia Rebels. Game 1 is Friday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Game 2 is Saturday, Jan. 24, also at 7:30 p.m.
The games can be streamed on NATV or listened to on WINGZ93.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].