The New York Aviators quest to return to the top of the NA3EHL standings continued Oct. 24-25 with a two-game home series against the Roc City Royals at Aviator Sports and Events Center.
Saturday, Oct. 24 the Aviators wasted little time in proving why they are one of the top teams in the NA3EHL, jumping out to a 5-0 first period lead, led by goals from a pair of Aviators who’ve led the way for a couple seasons now.
Michael House got things started with a pair of goals two minutes apart, followed by a power play goal from Jimmy Warrick. Following an even strength goal from veteran Nicholas Lermer, his second of the season, Warrick netted his second power play goal of the period with just 30 second left in the opening frame.
The Aviators offensive explosion didn’t stop however, and just six minutes into the second period Robert Kalata scored his 12th goal of the season, followed just a minute later by defenseman Ricky Regala picking up his third of the season. House finished off the Aviators scoring late in the period with his hat trick goal, the second hat trick of his season in just his first four games of the season.
Although the Aviators would concede a third period goal, midway through the final period, the game was clearly in hand and with Stephen Mundinger stopping 41-of-42 shots, the Aviators finished off the 8-1 win.
Sunday afternoon’s game would prove to be a much different story as the Royals came out firing, scoring first midway through the first period and from then on the two teams would trade goals. Kalata scored his second of the weekend to tie the game just a minute after the Royals took the lead, but the Royals responded, retaking the one-goal lead.
Eric Hewitt tied the game once again late in the first period, but the Royals would be stubborn on this day, again taking a one-goal lead early in the second period. Once again the Aviators would tie the game, this time on Warrick’s third power play goal of the weekend, but a power play goal from the Royals again gave the visitors the lead.
With just a minute and a half remaining in the second period the Aviators went down a player following a cross-checking penalty, but House’s incredible start to his season when he scored short-handed to, once again, tie things up. Following a scoreless third period in which the Aviators outshot the Royals 10-8, the game headed into overtime, where three minutes into the extra frame veteran defenseman Hewitt sealed the weekend sweep for the Aviators with his second goal of the game, giving the Aviators the 5-4 overtime win.
Lane Gregory started for the Aviators, but was replaced by Mundinger early in the second period after giving up four goals on 19 shots. Mundinger picked up his 10th win of the season, stopping all 21 shots he faced.
The Aviators once again head to Western New York Oct. 31-Nov. 1, this time to take on the Syracuse Stampede. The Aviators swept the opening three-game series against the Stampede back on Sept. 11-13 at Aviators Sports. As always, all Aviators games are available on www.fasthockey.com.
