HOOKSETT, N.H. – The Elmira Aviators (7-10-0-0) edged out the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (7-8-1-2) 4-3 in overtime at Delta Dental Arena Saturday night.
Zach Buffone scored his first career goal to win it for the Aviators in overtime. After a defensive zone draw win, Buffone went coast to coast, wiring a sweet shot through to win it for Elmira.
The Aviators never led throughout regulation, battling back from a deficit on three separate occasions. The Mountain Kings opened the scoring in all three periods, but Elmira had a response each time.
Jack Kohlmann scored the Aviators’ first of the night in transition to extend his point streak to four games. Kohlmann has two goals and four assists over the four-game span.
Buffone picked up an assist on the Kohlmann goal, beginning what would become a multi-point night for the defenseman.
In the second period, the fourth line came through for the Aviators as Quinn Pine set up Shawn Laperriere for his second of the year to tie the game at two.
With less than five minutes left in the third period, Elmira trailed 3-2, needing a goal to tie the game and avoid being swept at the hands of New Hampshire.
Mason Montagna, a defenseman playing his first game for the Aviators, led his team on the rush before dropping the puck back to Evan Dantas, who buried the game-tying goal.
In overtime, the Aviators were forced to kill a penalty before Buffone’s eventual winner. After losing control in the final period of Friday’s game, Elmira showed tremendous grit and resiliency for a comeback win on Saturday.
The Aviators will return home for a two-game series with the Maine Nordiques at the LECOM Event Center next week.
Game 1 is Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m., and Game 2 is Friday, Nov. 7, also at 7 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].