WEEKEND PREVIEW: Aviators welcome Titans to LECOM Event Center for weekend series
After a midweek loss to Rochester, the Elmira Aviators (16-23-5-3) return home to the LECOM Event Center this weekend to face off against the New Jersey Titans (25-19-2-3).
The Aviators have not faced the Titans in over three months. The two sides have changed significantly since they last squared off.
This weekend’s series serves as a potential proving ground to see how far Elmira has come as a team in the new year. With just three home series left in the regular season, the Aviators will want to make home ice count against the Titans.
FROM INDIVIDUALS TO A COLLECTIVE
Currently, the Titans hold one of the final two playoff spots in the East Division. If Elmira wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, it will need to take games and series against teams like New Jersey.
One area where Elmira can find success is on the power play. The Aviator man-advantage helped pull Elmira back into a game that looked gone in Rochester on Tuesday.
The Aviators went 2/3 on the power play on Tuesday. The unit is up to 21.8% on the campaign, good for fourth in the division.
Individuals also thrived in the 5-4 loss to Rochester.
Corson Maguire continued to register at least a point in every game as an Aviator, extending his streak to seven games. He also extended a goal streak to five games on Tuesday, a new Aviator club record.
Defenseman Kevin Delaney also stayed hot. He picked up an assist to extend a point streak of his own to six games. The blueliner is nearly a point-per-game player with nine in his 10 NAHL games thus far.
The Aviators need to turn some of these brilliant individual stretches into team successes if they want to snap the four-game losing streak they currently ride.
A lot of the newcomers are thriving, but it will be up to the veterans to help elevate the whole team’s game back to winning hockey.
THE TITANS
The Titans represent a place where the Aviators want to try to be. New Jersey is in the thick of the playoff hunt, holding one of the two final spots and still in contention for a potential home series in round one.
Yet, New Jersey ranks average to below average in most major team statistics within the division. Both Titan special team units rank out 6th in the East, their goals per game rank 6th and their goals against per game rank 5th in the division.
Despite some pedestrian team numbers, New Jersey has remained resilient and kept itself afloat in the playoff race. After a five-game skid in January, the Titans have returned to form with a 7-5-0-1 record since.
Elmira hasn’t faced New Jersey since late November, and before that, its last series against the Titans was the season opener in September. The Titans hold a 3-1 season series edge, including a sweep at the LECOM Event Center.
In fact, the Titans have swept the Aviators in both of their trips to the LECOM Event Center all-time.
After many struggles on home ice last season, the Aviators have defended the LECOM Event Center much better this campaign. Elmira is 9-7-3-3 at home this season.
The purple and black have just six games left on home ice in the regular season, and they’ll want to have pride in defending it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New Jersey: Skogen Schrott (‘05 F)
New Jersey’s leading scorer is one of the division’s best. His 28 goals rank 3rd in the East, and his 53 points are 5th in the division.
Schrott’s been hot recently, too, piling up six points while currently riding a three-game point streak. He also has points in nine of his last 10 games with 14 over that stretch.
He’s actually been relatively tame against Elmira this season, and the Aviators will want to keep it that way. Schrott has failed to score a goal, but does have three assists in four games against Elmira this season.
Elmira: Matthew Maglio (‘06 F)
Maglio, a New Jersey native, has been great against his home state this season. In four games versus the Titans this campaign, Maglio has been over a point per game with two goals and three assists.
Maglio also had a good Tuesday in Rochester, picking up a goal and three points overall. He is tied for the team lead in goals with 18 and is just two away from tying the Elmira season record.
The Top Prospects Tournament Selection has had a great season that could get even sweeter with a record-breaking weekend against his home state’s team.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Game 1 at the LECOM Event Center is Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m. The Aviators will be celebrating Women’s Night as the organization shines a light on the many women who make the Elmira community special.
Game 2 is Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. and is Corning Kids Night, meaning all children 12 and under get in free!
Fans unable to attend the games in person can stream the games on NATV or listen 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].