Wesley Jefferson Swint II backstops Elmira to shootout win in career performance
ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (16-23-3-1) shocked the Rochester Jr. Americans (26-9-3-5) behind outstanding goaltending in a 2-1 shootout win Tuesday night.
Wesley Jefferson Swint II, a 2007-born goaltender, made his first start since Jan. 4 against New Hampshire. Jefferson Swint II was pulled in that game after allowing four goals on 15 shots.
On Tuesday night, he was called back into action for a makeup game between Elmira’s in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans. Rochester had won seven of its last 10 games and had just come off a 6-1 thrashing over Philadelphia.
The Aviators were sluggish early, beginning their third game in five days, but it was apparent from the jump, the Elmira goaltender was sharp and ready to go.
Jefferson Swint II set the tone in the opening period. The Jr. Americans dominated the possession and the shots with a 15-3 lead in that category after one, but Jefferson Swint II stopped all 15 bids.
The Aviators’ offense began to turn it on in the second period with 14 of their own shots in the middle frame, but Rochester matched that total and finally found an answer for Jefferson Swint II.
Demitri Diflorio fluttered a shot through traffic and found the back of the net to put Rochester up 1-0 at the tail end of the second period.
Trailing against the best defensive team in the East Division, Elmira needed a spark and Jude Hunt provided. The 2005-born defenseman darted up the far-side wing with tremendous speed, gliding by Jr. Americans.
He then slotted a pass across to Luke Sakala who tapped it home for the equalizer and his fifth goal of the season.
The rest of the third period was tight with Jefferson Swint II continuing to make standout saves. No one could find a winner and the two sides went to overtime.
With just over two minutes left in the extra session, the Jr. Americans got a power play for a chance to win. However, the Aviators’ penalty kill played its best in the biggest moments with forward Curtiss Sturgeon having a major impact in keeping the puck away from the defensive zone.
Both goaltenders continued to be outstanding and got the spotlight shined on them further when the teams went to a shootout.
Jefferson Swint II magnificently stopped all three of Rochester’s shooters. Elmira missed its first two efforts but then stepped up Matt Maglio.
Maglio wheeled in on the wing, cutting it onto his forehand before calmly steering it past Rochester goaltender Ethan Phillips for the Aviators’ win.
Maglio led the charge for celebration, but his teammates also mobbed Jefferson Swint II for a stellar, NAHL career-best performance. The netminder finished with 41 saves on 42 shots and stopped all three of Rochester’s shootout attempts.
The Aviators have now won two of their last three games and have momentum as they try and rally together for a playoff push. Elmira currently sits five points back of a playoff spot.
Next up, the Aviators will travel to New Jersey to take on the Titans in a two-game series. Game 1 is Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday at 7 p.m. Elmira swept New Jersey in its last trip to the Garden State.
The games can also 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].