Aviators drop first game of New Year to Mountain Kings

ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (12-16-3-1) could not overcome a four-goal first-period deficit dropping their first game of 2025 to the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (16-15-0-1) Friday night.

The Mountain Kings dominated early and on special teams to fuel their 5-1 victory over the Aviators. New Hampshire led 4-0 after one and were two-for-two on their power play in the opening frame.

The Elmira power play struggled for much of 2024 and entered tonight’s game at just 14.5%, good for ninth in the East division. The Aviator power play went 0/7 in Friday night’s contest.

The Mountain Kings got an excellent outing from their goaltender Sam Caulfield. The 2006-born netminder stopped 44 of 45 Elmira shots. Caulfield was named the first star of Friday’s game.

New Hampshire also got exemplary offensive output from forward Oli Genest. Genest tallied a goal and an assist in Friday’s game and currently leads the entire NAHL in goals with 28.

The lone Aviator tally on the evening came from winger Jett Otwell. He now has five goals in his last eight games.

Charlie Fink provided the assist on a partial two-on-one, delivering the feed at the perfect moment for Otwell to steer the puck into the gaping cage.

Elmira scored that goal 18 seconds into the second period to make it a three-goal game, but the Aviators couldn’t find an answer for Caulfield for the rest of the night.

The Aviators will try to secure a series split with the Mountain Kings on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the LECOM Event Center box office.

The game can be streamed on NATV and listened to on Big Foot Country Legends.

Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him email [email protected].