Titans blow by Aviators with explosive third period
MIDDLETOWN, N.J. – The Elmira Aviators (1-1-0-0) could not keep up with the high-scoring New Jersey Titans (1-1-0-0), losing 9-2 at the Middletown Sports Complex Sunday night.
The opening two periods looked like a reflection of Saturday night’s game, with the roles reversed. This go around, the Titans jumped out to a 2-0 lead and took it into the first intermission.
New Jersey would extend its lead to 3-0 before Elmira got on the board. Returning forward, Jack Kohlmann broke the ice for the Aviators by angling his way towards the slot and whipping a powerful snap shot past New Jersey goaltender Andrei Nikolaev.
Elmira looked like it was in good shape to kick a comeback into full gear to start the third period, but with less than 30 seconds to go in the second, the Titans answered Kohlmann’s goal.
Tate Pecknold snuck in behind the Aviator defense after an offensive zone turnover, scoring on a breakaway to end the middle period.
Down 4-1, the Aviators had a lot of work to do in order to muster a comeback on the road. Things started off well with Kohlmann bagging his second of the game on the power play on a nice feed in front by Matthew Maglio.
However, the Titans stole back their three-goal advantage with a power play goal of their own. Though New Jersey was far from taking its foot off the gas.
After Kohlmann’s aforementioned tally, the Titans fired off five unanswered goals in the final period. Three of those goals came on the power play. Former Johnstown Tomahawk Tate Pecknold completed a hat trick for the Titans.
Elmira veteran defenseman Andrew Piccirillo tried to change the tide by dropping the gloves, but New Jersey kept on firing to put the game away.
The Aviators will try and put the ugly result behind them to prepare for a trip to Maryland this weekend. Elmira will faceoff at the Maryland Black Bears Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
The games are available to stream or listen on NATV and Wingz 93.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].