JOHNSTOWN, P.A. – The Elmira Aviators (16-20-5-3) could not complete the series sweep over the Johnstown Tomahawks (19-19-4-3), losing 4-2 at 1st Summit Arena Saturday night.
After Elmira’s special teams carried the day in Friday’s 6-4 victory, the power play and penalty kill struggled mightily in the series finale.
The Aviators went 0/5 on the man-advantage and failed to convert on a penalty shot in the second period. The Elmira penalty kill was just 2/4, especially struggling in the middle period when Johnstown grabbed the lead.
Despite the loss, a couple of Aviators continued their strong play after Friday’s win.
Corson Maguire has registered a point in all four of his games as an Aviator so far. Maguire wired a snapshot off the far post and in to tie the game at two in the middle period.
Kevin Delaney now has points in three straight games, grabbing an assist in Saturday’s loss, and Jake Baratta is now riding a five-game point streak after assisting the game’s opening score.
Ultimately, the purple and black struggled to get their attack going with the power play faltering. The Aviators got just four shots on goal in the third period and 13 shots across the second and third periods overall.
Next weekend, Elmira will take on its in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans, at the Rochester Ice Center. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.
Fans can stream the games on NATV or listen live on WINGZ93.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].