ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (15-19-5-2) held off a New Hampshire Mountain Kings (14-20-3-4) comeback attempt, taking them down 3-2 by way of a shootout at the LECOM Event Center Friday night.
Aiden McKenna stole the show for Elmira between the pipes. The Vermont University commit piled up 36 saves on 38 shots, then held five of six New Hampshire shooters scoreless in the shootout.
McKenna was heroic when the Aviators’ skaters struggled late, but Elmira came on strong early. In the first period, the Aviators outshot the Mountain Kings 13-6, scoring the game’s opening goal. Elmira’s attackers even hit a couple of posts.
The goal came on the rush with Max Campbell burying a sweet feed from one of the newest Aviators, Corson Maguire.
Elmira acquired Maguire from the Rochester Jr. Americans in a trade earlier this week. The Toronto native made his debut in Friday’s game.
Despite being outshot heavily in the middle period, Elmira grabbed a late goal in the second period thanks to a one-timer from Ilya Baldin. The former Buzz Hockey Club skater was involved all over the ice Friday night, creating numerous chances outside his score.
Baldin’s tally gave Elmira a 2-0 lead into the third period, but the Mountain Kings dominated the final stanza of regulation. Ronnie Hill scored on a power play in the opening seconds of the third, then Van Martin equalized for New Hampshire less than two minutes later.
The Mountain Kings outshot the Aviators 31-9 in the last two periods of regulation.
In overtime, Elmira got the better of the chances. The best was a Brenden Bedorf one-timer from close range, but New Hampshire netminder Jason Cai robbed him with a spectacular glove save.
Though Cai shone in overtime, McKenna burned bright in the shootout with his five stops against six Mountain King shooters.
Matthew Maglio ended up scoring the decisive shootout goal for the Aviators, not electing for any show-stopping dangle, but relying on his excellent shot release to beat Cai and send the LECOM Event Center into a frenzy.
The Aviators will go for the series sweep against the Mountain Kings Saturday night at the LECOM Event Center. Saturday’s game is an open house and free for all fans to attend. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.
Fans unable to make it to the LECOM Event Center 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].