SEWELL, N.J. – The Elmira Aviators (3-6-0-0) were overpowered by the attacking prowess of the Philadelphia Rebels (5-3-0-1), losing 7-3 at the Hollydell Ice Arena Saturday night.
The Aviators did not get off to a flying start. For the second consecutive night, Elmira allowed Philadelphia to score inside the opening minute.
Abzal Alibeck gave the Rebels the opener, kickstarting his team’s high-flying evening on the attack.
Philadelphia padded its lead throughout the period, doubling its lead to two midway through the first and extending out to a three-goal advantage in the final minutes of the frame.
Johnny Conlin had the period’s last goal, adding to his strong series. The 2005-born forward went on to tally twice and assist once in Saturday’s game. Conlin finished the weekend with five points across the two games.
The Aviators have one three-goal comeback under their belts this season, but couldn’t find the juice to crawl back against the Rebels.
Philadelphia scored the lone goal of the middle period to take a 4-0 advantage. The tally came less than two minutes into the second period, stalling an Aviator comeback before it could get started.
Elmira finally got on the board midway through the final period when Evan Dantas whistled a one-timer through during a five-on-three power play.
Dantas represented one of the few bright spots on the weekend for the Aviators, picking up two goals and an assist in his first series with Elmira.
The Rebels quickly erased any fleeting hope the Aviators had by adding their sixth and seventh goals of the evening.
Ultimately, it was a frustrating night and weekend for the Aviators, struggling to put together meaningful stretches of solid hockey.
The Aviators will now pivot hard to next weekend’s home opening series against the Northeast Generals.
Game 1 at the LECOM Event Center is Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Game 2 is Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. Friday’s game will feature a schedule magnet giveaway.
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].