Elmira gets first sweep of 2025 in road series at New Hampshire
HOOKSETT, N.H. – The Elmira Aviators (14-19-3-1) took down the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (17-19-0-1) 5-3 at Tri-Town Ice Arena Saturday night, for the Aviators’ first sweep of 2025.
The Aviators matched their hot start from Friday night by scoring the opening goal in the first period.
Playing in his second game for Elmira, Luke Sakala scored for the second straight game. New Hampshire goaltender Sam Scopa got most of the puck on Sakala’s shot, but the frozen biscuit just leaked over the line to give Elmira a 1-0 lead.
That was all the scoring in the opening frame. Goaltender Ty Levy continued his excellent play with 18 saves in the first period.
Levy would earn his second win in as many games Saturday night allowing three goals on 38 Mountain King shots.
The Aviators continued to get the ball rolling in the second period with a trio of goals.
Matt Maglio beautifully set up Curtiss Sturgeon with a stretch pass through neutral ice. Sturgeon stepped in and slipped the puck under Scopa for the goal. The goal is Sturgeon’s 13th of the season to lead all Aviators.
Then, New Hampshire native Bryce Terry continued his stellar weekend with a power play goal at the top of the face-off circle. Terry finished the weekend with three goals and an assist against the Mountain Kings.
Elmira also continued its theme of fresh faces finding success when Thomas Weekes got a goal by driving the front of the net mouth. The goal was Weekes first as an Aviator and third overall on the season.
The Mountain Kings got back in it with a power play goal at the tail end of the second period. They tallied two more scores throughout the third period to cut the Elmira lead to one.
However, with a shade over three minutes remaining in the game, Matt Maglio drew a tripping penalty to put the Aviators on the power play.
Clarence Beltz took the puck to the side of the net and tucked it home to seal the victory for Elmira.
The Aviators’ sweep of the Mountain Kings is their third sweep of the season and first since Dec. 5 and 6 at New Jersey.
Next weekend Elmira will return home to face its in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans. The Aviators are 2-2 against the Americans this season.
Game 1 is Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday, Jan. 25 also at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s game is First Responders Night. The Aviators will wear special uniforms and first responders and their families will have free admittance to the game.
The games can also 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].