As the Aviators head into their fourth home series of the season, they are set to play host to the NA3EHL’s standings leader, the Jersey Shore Wildcats. The Wildcats enter the weekend undefeated, riding a 16-game winning streak, including a 6-4 win, including an empty net goal, over the Aviators at Jersey Shore Arena on Friday, Oct. 16.
Aviators forward Jimmy Warrick continues to lead the NA3EHL in scoring with 43 points in 18 games, with Aviators newcomer, but junior veteran Robert Kalata not far behind with 31 points in 18 games. But, perhaps the biggest story so far, is the incredible start to the season, despite a late arrival, of Michael House, who is averaging more than two points per game, with 15 points in just seven games.
Goaltender Stephen Mundinger leads the NA3EHL with 11 wins and over 920 minutes played and is currently third in the league with a .945 save percentage. Defensively the Aviators are led by veterans Eric Hewitt, Ricky Regala and Phillip Garcia. The three have combined for 37 points, led by Hewitt’s 15 points in 18 games.
The Wildcats are led offensively by a strong group of league top 10 scorers, including Jared Karas with 39 points, Frederic Ampleman with 33 points, Dulan Plsek with 30 points, Freddie Schaljo with 26 points and Bogdan Khvatov with 25 points. They also have the top three scoring defensemen in the league with Scott Hansen leading the way with 20 points and Marcus McCall and Alexander Tan close behind with 17 points.
Although goaltender Scott Albertoni (8-0-0) sits just inside the top 5 in league goals against average with a 2.02 and just outside the top 5 in save percentage at .915, it’s hard to call goaltending a weak spot on a 16-0 team. Breadan Colgan has been nearly as solid overall at 6-0-0 with a 2.10 goals against average and .899 save percentage.
This weekend’s series could come down to a special teams battle as the Aviators and Wildcats sit 1&2 in power play percentage, with the Wildcats leading the way at 29.58 percent and the Aviators a bit behind at 22.62 percent. In the Aviators favor is the league’s second best penalty kill at 90.29 percent, while the Wildcats sit fourth at 89.04 percent.
The Aviators head back home to Aviator Sports and Events Center Nov. 6-7 for a big weekend two-game series with NA3EHL leader and undefeated Jersey Shore Wildcats. In one previous meeting this season the Wildcats beat the Aviators 6-4 including an empty net goal.
For more information on the 2015-16 New York Aviators and the NA3EHL, log on to www.nyjraviators.com and www.na3ehl.com. You can also contact Head Coach Mike Stanaway directly at [email protected].
