ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (22-28-5-4) fell to their in-state rivals, the Rochester Jr. Americans, 2-0 in the season finale on Saturday night.
It was a bittersweet night at the LECOM Event Center as the Aviators said goodbye to their 2005-born skaters playing their final game of junior hockey.
Elmira said goodbye to ten Aviators on Saturday. Forwards Evan Dantas, Corson Maguire, Luke Rubin, Ben Taylor, Shawn Laperriere and Greg Johnson, as well as defensemen Cole Brown, Jack Laferriere, Brenden Bedorf and Andrew Piccirillo.
Bedorf, Piccirillo and Laferriere left their marks as captains, with the former two being the longest tenured Aviators.
Bedorf skated in his 99th consecutive game for Elmira on Saturday night. He made it a memorable weekend by scoring the game-winning goal on Friday and dropping the gloves on Saturday.
On the attacking side, Evan Dantas set Elmira records for points (50) and goals (23). Corson Maguire was elite in his short time with the Aviators, putting up 23 points in 19 games in the purple and black.
Unfortunately, the Aviators couldn’t send their 2005-born players out with a victory, as Rochester goaltender Jensen Carlstrom posted his first career NAHL shutout.
Still, Elmira had a solid final week, winning two of its three games and finishing the season with more points and wins than the inaugural campaign last year.
The Aviators will continue to ascend when the 2026-27 season begins this September! Until then, fans can keep an eye out for the schedule release and the development of next year’s roster by following the Aviators on social media @elmiravaitorsnahl.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].