After just 13 goals in their previous four games, the Aviators found their offense again in a two-game sweep of the Skylands Kings during a home-and-home series Jan. 16-17, combining for 11 goals in two games.
Signs of the Aviators offense returning to life started midway through the first period on Saturday, Jan. 16 at home in Brooklyn when Daniel Backstrom put the home team up 1-0 12 minutes in. The first period scoring continued late in the first period when the big story of the week, returner Dom Sacco, recorded his first Aviators point in nearly three years giving the Aviators a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Things took a sour turn in the second period, however, and the Kings exploded for four goals, including back-to-back goals just 21 seconds apart less than two minutes into the middle frame and another pair just 17 seconds apart late in the period, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead heading into the third period.
Just three minutes into the third period the Aviators pulled within one on Shawn Eastman’s second goal of the season, but the Kings regained their two-goal lead just two minutes later. Sacco pulled the Aviators back within one three minutes after the Kings fifth goal and just another three minutes later Gunther Stange scored his fifth of the season to tie things up.
Following the Stange tying goal, Sacco’s return to Brooklyn was made complete, scoring his hat trick goal just seven seconds after Stange tied the game and four minutes later the Brooklyn-native scored his fourth goal of the game, giving the Aviators the 7-5 win.
Anthony DiGiorgio started in net for the Aviators, but was replaced by Stephen Mundinger following the Aviators second period meltdown. DiGiorgio finished his night giving up four goals on 20 shots, while Mundinger entered the game and gave up just one goal on 24 shots.
Sunday afternoon’s game began much the same as Saturday night’s, with the Aviators taking a first period 2-0 lead on goals from Sacco and Stange. But again, the Kings would fight back in the second period, tying things up with a pair of goals.
Again, much like Saturday’s game, the Aviators would respond in the third period. Veteran forward Robert Kalata scored his 22nd goal of the season to give the Aviators the lead and Nicholas Lermer extended their lead with his third goal of the season, giving the Aviators the 4-2 win and weekend sweep.
Mundinger was solid in net once again, stopping 40-of-42 shots for his league-leading 17th win of the season. Sacco’s return to Brooklyn resulted in a six-point weekend, including five goals and one assists in his two games.
The Aviators will next hit the road for one game against the league-leading Jersey Shore Wildcats Friday, Jan. 22 at Jersey Shore Arena at 6:45 p.m., followed by a home game against the Wilkes-Barre Miners Saturday, Jan. 23 at Aviator Sports and Events Center at 9 p.m. As always, Aviators games are available on www.fasthockey.com.
