Aviators fly back; Erase 3 goal deficit to take down Rochester in overtime
ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (9-12-3-1) erased a 3-0 deficit, defeating the Rochester Jr. Americans (14-6-3-2) 4-3 in overtime Saturday night
The Aviators could not solve the Jr. Americans for five periods. Rochester dominated Game 1 in the series with a 5-0 win on Friday and led 3-0 after the second period on Saturday.
Elmira just needed to see one puck go in.
The Aviators got the bounce they needed 11:32 into the third period. Cooper Eberhardt drove down the right wing and sent a puck towards the slot. Rochester defenseman Liam Chapman proceeded to deflect the frozen biscuit into his own net.
That spark was all the Aviators needed to ignite the comeback.
Next, Aviators forward Curtiss Sturgeon took the puck off an attacking zone faceoff and slotted it past Jr. Americans’ goaltender Florian Wade. That score sent the LECOM Event Center into a frenzy, believing their team could draw even.
With 1:25 to go in regulation time, Elmira pulled its goaltender to get the extra attacker on. The Aviators won the ensuing draw, working the puck to the front of the net until it found Jett Otwell for the game-tying goal.
The Aviators had come back from a larger deficit once before, but could not seal the victory. On Nov. 1 the Aviators stormed back down 4-0 to the Maryland Black Bears to send the game to overtime.
The Black Bears would end up victorious in a shootout. This time the Aviators were determined to finish the job.
Just over 90 seconds into overtime, Aviators’ forward Clarence Beltz dashed down the far-side wing to gather a loose puck, beating out an Americans’ skater in the process. Beltz used his leverage to angle in, going forehand-backhand to beat the Americans’ netminder and win Elmira the game.
The 4-3 overtime win is the largest comeback victory in the Aviators’ early history.
With the loss, the Jr. Americans stay in first place in the East Division by two points. The Avitators climb to eighth in the division with their victory.
Next week Elmira will travel to New Jersey to take on the Titans in a two-game set. Game 1 is Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is Friday, Dec. 6 also at 7:30 p.m.
Both games are available to stream on NATV and can be listened to live on Big Foot Country Legends.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].