ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (9-12-3-0) snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating their in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans (14-10-0-0), 3-2 at the LECOM Event Center Friday night.
Rochester entered the battle having won seven of its last eight games, averaging 4.5 goals per game over that stretch. Meanwhile, the Aviators came in having been swept in each of their last two series, falling towards the bottom of the East Division.
But Elmira showed that statistics and standings go out the window in rivalry games.
The Aviators never trailed against the Jr. Americans. They set the tone early by scoring inside the opening three minutes for the third straight game.
Rochester battled back to tie it in the first, but Elmira felt from the get-go it could hang with the defending division champs.
Elmira got the lead in the middle period thanks to Yianni Koukouves. The 2005-forward made splendid work of a heavy rebound, handling the puck around the goaltender’s pad and tucking it home to re-establish the Aviator lead.
Rochester would answer in the third with a game-tying power play goal, but Elmira was not letting Friday’s tilt get away.
The Aviators played outstanding, committed hockey on the rush against the Jr. Americans, owing all three of its goals to strong transitional play.
With just over 3:30 to go, Koukouves made his mark again, darting down the left wing and beating Rochester’s Florian Wade short side for the eventual game-winning goal.
Koukouves’ multi-goal effort extends his current point streak to five games. He has three goals and three assists over this stretch.
Max Campbell also furthered a point streak, assisting both of Koukouves’ goals. Campbell stood out not only by his points but also by his excellent work on a dynamic Aviator penalty kill.
Elmira held Rochester to ⅙ on the power play Friday night.
The Aviators will attempt to sweep their in-state rivals for the first time in their history when they face off Saturday night at the LECOM Event Center. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. 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].