Aviators blanked in road loss to Black Bears
ODENTON, MD. – The Elmira Aviators (14-22-3-1) could not solve the Maryland Black Bears’ (27-11-1-2) goaltender Marko Bilic losing 4-0 on Saturday night.
Elmira had a much better start to Saturday’s game than Friday’s with a competitive first period. However, Elmira struggled to convert its chances with Clarence Beltz and Gavin Duckworth both having opportunities to score.
Maryland was able to ride out the Elmira storm and find a 1-0 lead through defenseman Mason Stenger. The Black Bears would ride that momentum into the second period where they would score three more goals to increase their lead to 4-0.
It was a largely lethargic third period until tempers reached a breaking point 15:49 into the final frame.
Charlie Vincent clashed with Maryland’s Sebastian Brockman in what was a fight-adjacent scrap. Vincent got the gloves free, but Brockman was more interested in a tight-quarters wrestling style affair with the two participants plunging to the ground before any punches could be thrown.
Meanwhile amidst the chaos, Elmira’s Chase Murray jawed with Maryland’s Tommy Holtby resulting in both players getting the gloves off and ensuing fisticuffs. Both players got their fair share of strikes in before going down to the ice and being escorted back to their respective locker rooms for an early dismissal.
After all the penalties were handed out, the Black Bears received a five minute power play due to Charlie Vincent being assessed a slashing penalty on top of all the rough stuff. The Black Bears would not score on that man-advantage and the game ended 4-0.
Next weekend the Aviators will return home to the LECOM Event Center to faceoff with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. Game 1 is Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s game will be free for all boy and girl scouts in uniform. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or at the box office.
The games can be streamed on NATV and listened to on Big Foot Country Legends.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].