ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (14-18-5-2) defeated the Danbury Hat Tricks (17-18-2-3) 4-2 at the LECOM Event Center Friday night.
It was a total team effort from Elmira, playing its most complete 60 minutes of hockey in some time. The Aviators held the Hat Tricks to 10 shots or fewer in each period and just 22 total shots for the game.
The Aviators also dominated on special teams. The penalty kill, which entered the game second-to-last in the East at 77.6%, went 4/4, even killing off over 30 seconds of a five-on-three.
The power play won Elmira the game offensively. The purple and black went 2/4 on the man-advantage Friday night.
First, Top Prospects selections Matthew Maglio and Evan Dantas combined to get Elmira on the board in the second period. Maglio showed off his excellent shot release for his team-leading seventh power play goal of the season.
An even strength goal split up the power play tallies for the Aviators. Elmira showed off its talent in transition with Jack Kohmann setting up Yiannni Koukouves for a pretty one-timer off the rush.
Koukouves was not done yet, making his mark on the power play in the third period. Once again, Dantas stepped into the role of playmaker, setting up Koukouves with speed as he entered the attacking zone on the left wing, before depositing a dazzling shot from the near hashmark.
Koukouves serenated the crowd and the Danbury bench with one of the best celebrations of the season, using his stick to motion like he was playing a violin as he glided off in jubilation.
The Aviators looked to be in full control with a 3-0 lead in the third period, but Danbury made things a bit hairy at the end. Former Aviator Kai Elkie put the Hat Tricks on the board. Then, Patrik Ula scored with the extra attacker out to make it a one-goal game with 1:19 to go.
Luckily for Elmira, the Aviators were able to close things out with an empty net goal from Jack Kohlmann, tying him for the team lead with 14 goals on the campaign.
Overall, the Aviators played one of their most complete games of the season, thriving in all facets of the game. They’ll try to repeat the strong performance with a series sweep Saturday night at the LECOM Event Center.
Game 2 between the Aviators and Hat Tricks will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The game 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].