ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (17-23-5-3) returned to home ice with a bang, defeating the New Jersey Titans (25-20-2-3) at the LECOM Event Center Friday night.
Elmira came into Friday on a four-game losing streak as well as short rest after falling 5-4 in Rochester on Tuesday. Many of the Aviators’ top scorers had been thriving, but the team results were not following suit.
Elmira’s depth was the difference Friday night as Aviators up and down the lineup delivered in all facets of the game.
Firstly, the purple and black played from the front, scoring the game’s opening goal and never trailing. Jake Baratta got the party started with a picture-perfect shot on the rush.
His top-corner drive makes it points in three straight games for Baratta and at least a point in eight of his last nine.
The Titans tied the game, but fourth liner Greg Johnson reestablished the Aviators’ lead late in the first by taking the puck right to the net.
Elmira kept the good times rolling into the second period, with an early power play goal, then another goal from a fourth liner to make it three unanswered.
It was Nico Pohjola finding twine on the man-advantage for his first goal since Nov. 6. A special tally for Pohjola as his parents were in attendance for Friday’s game all the way from Finland.
Tyler Tsoukalas made it 4-1 Elmira by tucking a Luke Rubin rebound home for his first in an Aviator sweater. The Titans refused to go away, grabbing the next two goals to pull within one and potentially set up an enthralling third period.
However, Pohjola wasn’t done scoring on his special night, whipping a snap shot to the back of the net to reestablish Elmira’s multi-goal advantage at 5-3.
The Aviators played well defensively in the final frame of regulation, but the Titans got one back with their goalie pulled, making it a one-goal game again.
Thankfully for Elmira and its fans, the Aviators were not shaken and held firm in the final minutes to secure a 5-4 regulation victory.
The purple and black will go for the series sweep Saturday night at the LECOM Event Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. and all children 12 and under get in free for Corning Kids Night.
Fans unable to attend the game can stream the action 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].