WEEKEND PREVIEW: Elmira seeks to secure season series versus Danbury
Following a one-game weekend on the road against the Philadelphia Rebels, the Elmira Aviators (13-18-5-2) are returning home to the LECOM Event Center for the next two weekends.
First up, it’s the Danbury Hat Tricks (17-17-2-3) coming to Elmira, another team on the outside of the playoff picture looking to climb the standings. The Hat Tricks currently sit in 7th in the East Division, just two points behind the Johnstown Tomahawks for the final postseason slot in the division.
The Aviators are seeking to replicate the home ice success they had against the Hat Tricks earlier this season and secure the season series with a pair of wins this weekend.
FAMILIAR FOE
The Hat Tricks are a special and familiar opponent to the Aviators in many ways.
Elmira played and won its first-ever NAHL game against Danbury on Sept. 13, 2024. The two sides have made notable trades with key contributors finding their footing away from their old clubs.
More recently, the Aviators and Hat Tricks faced off just over a month ago and will duke it out for their final series against each other in the regular season this weekend.
Elmira head coach Leeor Shtrom led the Aviators for the first time on Oct. 24 against the Hat Tricks. The result? Two wins where the Aviators combined for 11 goals, including seven in the second game to secure Elmira’s first and only series sweep this season.
The purple and black need four points this weekend to keep pace with the likes of Philadelphia and Danbury. While far from eliminated, the Aviators have drifted away from the pack.
Right now, the race for the final playoff spots looks like a battle between four teams for two spots: New Jersey in 5th (42 points), Johnstown holding the last spot in 6th (41 points), Danbury the first team out (39 points) and Philly close behind (38).
Elmira currently has 33 points with one silver lining: the Aviators have at least one game at hand on three of the teams they’re chasing. Now it’s up to Elmira to win those games, and none are more important than the clashes against teams the Aviators are chasing.
THE HAT TRICKS
Danbury will be on short rest this week after playing on Wednesday against the New Jersey Titans. Meanwhile, the Aviators are on extended rest after their Saturday contest against Philadelphia was postponed due to the incoming snowstorm.
That matchup is being rescheduled to a later date.
The Hat Tricks performed tremendously in their matinee on Wednesday, blanking the Titans 3-0. Jon Dukaric made 28 saves on 28 shots en route to the shutout. Danbury played two games in New Jersey this past weekend before welcoming the Titans to home ice on Wednesday.
Ultimately, the Hat Tricks did wonderfully for their playoff hopes, taking two out of three against the Titans, getting themselves to hockey .500 and picking up a shutout to boot.
On a broader scope, Danbury has been hovering in the middle, splitting all its weekend series in January.
One thing to keep an eye on with the Hat Tricks is their potent offense. Their 125 goals scored rank fourth best in the East Division. They have scored five or more goals in a game ten times this campaign, including two times this month alone.
Thankfully for Elmira, the Aviators have held the Hat Tricks to three scores or fewer in all four matchups this season.
With a 3-1-0-0 record against Danbury this season, just one victory will secure the season series for Elmira, but a weekend sweep could thrust the Aviators back into the thick of the playoff picture.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Danbury: Kai Elkie (‘05 F)
The Aviators traded Elkie to Danbury in December of 2024. Elkie has thrived in his time as a Hat Trick, leading them in points with 37 in 39 games played this campaign.
Elkie especially likes to light up the score sheet against his former team. In eight career games against Elmira, Elkie has put up a whopping four goals and eight assists, averaging well over a point per game against his old club.
Elkie’s gone a bit cold recently, putting up just one point in his last five games. Despite this, the Aviators would be wise to shut Elkie down and not let him play a big role in the story this weekend.
Elmira: Evan Dantas (‘05 F)
The Aviators acquired Dantas from the Hat Tricks in early October, and the Ontario native has lifted off in Elmira.
Dantas is second on the Aviators in points and first on the team in points per game with 32 in 34 games played. Like Elkie, Dantas loves playing against his former team.
Though a smaller sample, Dantas has gone off against the Hat Tricks with three goals and three assists in four games against Danbury. Dantas tallied twice in the purple and black’s most recent matchup with Danury, a 4-3 shootout victory.
Recently, Dantas has been solid as well with points in three of his last four. He’ll hope to continue haunting his former team by leading the Elmira charge offensively this weekend.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Fans can catch all the exciting action at the LECOM Event Center on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31, also at 7 p.m. Fans who can’t make it to the LECOM Event Center can follow the matchups by streaming them on NATV or listening live on WINGZ93.
Fans can also keep tabs on the games by following the Aviators on social media @Elmiraaviatorsnahl.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].