ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (16-22-5-3) lost another close one to the Rochester Jr. Americans (31-14-0-0) 5-3 at the Rochester Ice Center Saturday night.
It was a nightmare start for Elmira, giving up three goals inside the opening seven minutes of the hockey game. The Aviators called a timeout to regroup and ended starting goaltender Jake Shingles’ night early.
Shingles allowed three goals on six shots, resulting in a 3-0 hole for Elmira with 13:16 left in the first period. Aiden McKenna jumped in and was solid for the rest of the evening, stopping 26 of 27 Rochester shots.
The purple and black did a fantastic job getting back in the game and making the Jr. Americans uncomfortable.
A Rochester own goal credited to Evan Dantas threw Elmira a lifeline in the first. Then, former Jr. American Corson Maguire scored a sweet backhand shot to the top shelf to pull Elmira within a goal.
Maguire now has a goal in four straight games and at least a point in all six games as an Aviator. The Elmira forward put up three points in the series against his former team.
The second period was tough sledding for Elmira. Adam Gionta re-extended Rochester’s lead to two goals with his third tally of the series.
The Aviators would pull back within one in the third period. Luke Rubin buried a power play goal in tight with assists going to Dantas and Kevin Delaney.
Delaney has settled in as a top defenseman for the Aviators. The blue liner is now riding a five-game point streak and has eight points in his first nine career NAHL games.
Elmira could not find the equalizer late in the third with the goaltender pulled as Rochester buried an empty netter to secure a 5-3 victory.
Next weekend, the Aviators will be off. Elmira will play next back in Rochester on Tuesday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. Fans can stream the game 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].