ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (16-23-5-3) came up short in a come-from-behind bid, falling 5-4 to the Rochester Jr. Americans (33-14-1-0) at the Rochester Ice Center Tuesday night.
The Aviators got off to a bright start and led through most of the first half of the game. Corson Maguire set up Matthew Maglio for the game’s opening goal in transition, giving Elmira a 1-0 advantage through 20 minutes of play.
With the assist, Maguire is now riding a seven-game point streak, getting on the scoresheet in every game as an Aviator since his trade from the Jr. Americans.
Maguire would later add a power play goal to his night to extend a goal streak to five games, a new Aviator record.
However, Rochester began to take control of the game in the second period. The Jr. Americans rattled off three goals in the middle period to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
Tensions climbed in the third period when the Jr. Americans took their first multi-goal lead through former Aviator Yianni Koukouves. Post-whistle shenanigans put Elmira on a power play and back within one thanks to Maguire’s aforementioned tally, but Rochester would have another answer.
Rochester forward Brendan Giles, who entered Tuesday’s game with three goals on the campaign, scored a hat trick with the final score re-establishing the Jr. Americans’ two-goal lead late in the third period.
The Aviators showed tremendous fight, refusing to go away by scoring another power play goal. This time, it was Evan Dantas slotting his 18th of the season to once again give Elmira life.
Unfortunately for the Aviators, they ran out of time and ultimately fell 5-4 to the Jr. Americans.
Elmira has now lost four straight and will look to pick itself up in a home series this weekend against the New Jersey Titans. Game 1 is Friday, March 6, and Game 2 is Saturday, March 7. Both puck drops are set for 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].