AUBURN, M.E. – The Elmira Aviators (20-25-5-4) defeated the Maine Nordiques (30-21-2-2) 4-1 at the Norway Saving Bank Arena on Saturday night.
The Aviators scored all four of their goals in the opening frame, burying two on the power play and two at even strength.
After a herculean effort from Maine goaltender Lukas Fursten in Friday’s game, he was given the start in Saturday’s affair.
The Aviators blitzed the Nordique netminder with four goals on seven shots. Fursten was benched at the start of the second period.
Elmira got things started with a four-on-three power play goal. Matthew Maglio made a great feed to Kevin Delaney, whose one-timer from the slot beat Fursten to make it 1-0.
The Aviators dominated the shots on Friday, but couldn’t find a way to beat Fursten. Putting one in the back of the net early in the game Saturday opened the floodgates.
Elmira scored again on its second power play with a deflection from Jake Baratta. After going 0/5 on Friday, the purple and black started Saturday’s contest 2/2 on the man advantage.
Later in the first, the Aviators killed off Maine’s first power play and instantly turned defense into offense.
Cael Primanti sprung Corson Maguire fresh off the bench, leading to a two-on-one with Max Campbell. Maguire fed the puck across the face of goal for a Campbell one-timer to make it 3-0 Aviators.
Finally, the Elmira forecheck put in the work to force a Maine turnover. Delaney ripped the puck back toward the goal, beating Fursten to make it 4-0.
From the second period onward, the game became tight and defensive. The Aviators maintained their 4-0 lead for most of the game.
The Nordiques got on the board late in the third with the goalie pulled, but by that point, it was too late.
Elmira goaltender Aiden McKenna was fantastic in his return to the crease. McKenna made 27 saves on 28 shots.
The Aviators will continue to be road warriors next weekend when they head to Massachusetts to take on the Northeast Generals. Game 1 is Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m., and Game 2 is Saturday, March 28, also at 7 p.m.
Fans can stream the contests 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].