ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (14-19-5-2) had their game against the Danbury Hat Tricks (18-18-2-3) slip away in the third period, falling 5-2 at the LECOM Event Center Saturday night.
After a complete 60 minutes of strong hockey on Friday night, Elmira entered Saturday’s third period thinking about a series sweep. The Aviators led the Hat Tricks 2-1 after two periods, outshooting Danbury 29-13.
Danbury turned the game on its head in the third period, scoring four unanswered goals en route to a victory and a series split against Elmira. The Aviator attack went mute in the final frame, mustering just five shots on target after firing off 20 in the second period.
Elmira will also be looking back at missed opportunities as the reason it fell to Danbury Saturday. The Aviator power play, which went 2/4 in the victory on Friday, was handed six opportunities on Saturday.
The Elmira man-advantage ultimately sputtered, going ⅙ and failing to build off its slim 2-1 lead for most of the middle period. The lone power play goal, scored by Luke Rubin, came by virtue of a five-on-three Aviator advantage.
Former Aviator Kai Elkie continued to haunt his former club on Saturday, scoring the game-winning tally and assisting on an insurance goal. In 10 career games against Elmira, Elkie has piled up six goals and nine assists.
The Aviators will try to bounce back on home ice next weekend when they welcome the New Hampshire Mountain Kings to the LECOM Event Center. Game 1 is Friday, Feb. 6, and Game 2 is Saturday, Feb. 7. Both games will begin at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Fans unable to make it to the LECOM Event Center can stream the games on NATV or listen live on WINGZ93.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].