The New York Aviators headed into their biggest weekend of the NA3EHL season hoping to pull within one-point of the Jersey Shore Wildcats with a two-game sweep and while they did cut the Wildcats lead in the standings, it wasn’t quite what the Aviators had hoped.
The Wildcats entered the weekend in Brooklyn riding a 16-game winning streak to start their season and seemingly control of the NA3EHL standings, but the Aviators have been solid at home all season and were looking to take advantage of the Aviator Sports and Event Center home ice.
The Aviators jumped on the board early in the first period when Daniel Backstrom, returning for his first game since an injury kept him out in recent weeks, took advantage of an Aviators power play just a little over two minutes into the game. But, the potent Wildcats offense responded just two minutes later to tie the game.
Backstrom gave the Aviators their one-goal lead again midway through the first period and the league’s leading scorer Jimmy Warrick added to the Aviators lead with just under two minutes to go in the opening period.
The Wildcats would pull within one with a goal midway through the second period, but on this night the Aviators would not be denied and early in the third period Sam Shaheen once again gave the Aviators their two-goal lead, finishing off the Wildcats winning streak with the Aviators 4-2 win.
Stephen Mundinger was once again impressive in net for the Aviators, stopping 44-of-46 shots for his 12th win of the season.
With the Aviators riding high after their biggest win of the season so far, they looked to continue their solid play in game two of the weekend on Saturday evening, but unfortunately an ammonia leak at Aviator Sports and Event Center caused the postponement of the game. Information about the rescheduling of the postponed game will be made available as soon as possible.
The Aviators once again hit the road back to Western New York Nov. 14-15 to face the Roc City Royals. The Aviators are 4-0 against the Royals this season, including 7-2 and 5-3 wins in Rochester back on Sept. 26-27.
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].
