Aviators claim back-to-back overtime wins; Take down Titans 3-2
The Elmira Aviators (10-12-3-1) defeated the New Jersey Titans (14-11-2-1) 3-2 in overtime at the Middletown Sports Complex Thursday night.
For the second straight game, the Aviators skated into an extra session, and once again, they had a hero waiting to answer the call. Jett Otwell buried a rebound to give Elmira its second straight victory.
The matchup was tight from the very beginning. The Titans and Aviators were scoreless for nearly 19 minutes of first-period action before Curtiss Sturgeon scored one of the best goals of the season.
Forward Gavin Duckworth dished the puck down low where Sturgeon put the frozen biscuit between his legs and elevated for a highlight reel goal.
However, the Aviators couldn’t celebrate for too long, because New Jersey answer 32 seconds later by way of Alex Papaspyropoulos.
The second was another tightly contested battle; once again, the goals came late. Charlie Fink tucked in a pass out in front of the goal from Jude Hunt to put the Aviators up 2-1. Then, New Jersey answered with a goal from star forward Jack Hillier.
The drama only continued to heighten as the third period marched on without signs of a goal.
With 1:56 left to go in the final frame of regulation, the Titans took a penalty, sending the Aviators to the power play for the final moments of the third period and the first 4 seconds of overtime.
Elmira could not find a winner in regulation and the power play was all but over entering overtime. However, the Aviators did not let that deter them from hunting a winning goal.
With their numbers advantage to start overtime, Clarence Beltz won the important faceoff easily. Ben Costantino then angled his way into the high slot of the attacking zone.
Surrounded by Titans, Costantino feathered a shot on net, padded away by New Jersey goaltender Charlie Mistretta, but Jett Otwell was waiting for the rebound and fired the puck into the gaping cage to give Elmira the win.
For Otwell, it’s his second goal in as many games with both tallies of the utmost importance.
Last Saturday he scored the game-tying goal with the extra attacker on to send the Aviators and Rochester Jr. Americans to overtime. Thursday night in New Jersey, he scored the winner.
Aviators goaltender Carson Barnes also had an outstanding game. Barnes stopped 34 out of 36 Titnas’ shots on goal.
Tomorrow night the Aviators will go for their first series sweep since Sept. 20/21 at the Northeast Generals. Elmira certainly has momentum after two wild overtime victories.
Friday night’s game can be streamed on NATV or listened to on Big Foot Country Legends. Puck drop from Middletown Sports Complex is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].