Last-gasp winner lifts Aviators over Jr. Hat Tricks

ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (15-22-3-1) shocked the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (17-22-3-0) with a last-minute goal to win 4-3 Friday night.

The Aviators and Jr. Hat Tricks were tied up in a cagey third period. Danbury evened the game at three-a-piece early in the frame and both teams played defensively afterwards.

Neither team had a power play after the Hat Tricks tying tally and it looked like both teams were content to head to overtime. 

But the Aviators’ Curtiss Sturgeon wanted to go home.

Luke Sakala worked the puck into the attacking zone and dropped it off to the trailing Sturgeon who wired a shot to the top right corner of the net, lifting the Aviators to victory. Sturgeon’s goal came with just 34 seconds remaining in the game.

Elmira’s Top Prospects Tournament selection leads the Aviators in goals with 14 after Friday night’s show-stopper.

The Aviators scored at least four goals in a game for the first time since their last win over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings on Jan. 18. Elmira’s offense thrived because of contributions up and down the lineup.

In particular, the line of Charlie Vincent, Thomas Weekes and Cooper Eberhardt excelled at playing hard, fast and physical. That line made their presence felt constantly and accounted for two of the Aviators’ goals.

Weekes scored the opener and later had an assist on Vincent’s score.

The Aviators will face the Hat Tricks on Saturday night for the final time in the regular season. Elmira will try to secure a season series split with a weekend sweep on Saturday night. 

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the LECOM Event Center where they will celebrate National Scouting Day. All boy and girl scouts in their uniforms will get in free to Saturday’s game.

The game 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].