ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (15-19-5-3) lost a barn burner 7-6 in a shootout to the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (15-20-3-4) at the LECOM Event Center Saturday night.
Elmira had many heroes offensively; Matthew Maglio scored the second hat trick in Aviator history, Kevin Delaney tallied his first career NAHL goal and had a three-point night and Mason Montagna scored his first NAHL goal shorthanded to tie the game at five in the third period.
But the Aviator defense and goaltending fell short on Saturday. After Aiden McKenna was the game’s first star on Friday night with 36 saves in a shootout victory, the Vermont commit conceded five goals on 21 shots on Saturday.
Head coach Leeor Shtrom elected to change goaltenders in the second period, allowing Jake Shingles to take over. Shingles was solid throughout the rest of regulation and overtime, making 20 saves on 21 shots, but he allowed both Mountain Kings to score in the shootout.
Still, the Aviators secured three out of four possible points on the weekend series and gave the raucous LECOM Event Center crowd an exhilarating game of hockey.
Five Aviators had multi-point nights, and the power play went 3/6 in the offensive showcase. Maglio bagged two scores on the man-advantage, giving him nine power-play goals on the season. He’s now tied for the East Division lead in power-play goals.
While Montagna scored a short-handed goal for Elmira in the third period, the Aviator penalty kill struggled overall. Elmira went 1/4 on the penalty kill Saturday night.
After taking their first lead in the third period at 6-5, the Aviators allowed the Mountain Kings to convert on the power-play, sending the contest on its way to overtime.
Despite the frustrating ending, the purple and black have a lot to build on as they prepare to travel to Johnstown next weekend for a clash with the Tomahawks.
Newcomers are finding their footing. Delaney had his aforementioned three-point outing, and Corson Maguire picked up two assists on Saturday and three assists overall in his debut series with Elmira.
The Aviators have not scored six in a game since their 7-2 thrashing of the Danbury Hat Tricks on Oct. 25 at the LECOM Event Center. If Elmira can carry that offensive momentum into a meeting with the Tomahawks next weekend, it will have the chance to claw back into the playoff picture.
Next weekend’s games in Johnstown will begin on Friday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Game 2 is slated for Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, 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].