Smith's long hair flows like his four goals as the Flying Aces shoot down the Bombers, sweeping the season series and holding on to the AS Cup.

The regular season has ended and the Aces find themselves with a winning record(6-4) for the first time in team history. Hard-core Ace fan, Rebecca Brendler, has never seen her Aces win. In fact the team held an 0-7 record when Rebecca was at the game. But that all changed tonight.

The first period started with even play on both sides of the ice. It was the usual Aces/Bombers action. But the Bombers scored first on an early powerplay opportunity. They managed to hold the lead until Kevin Smith, with his long, flowing hair, lit the lamp late in the period with his first of the night. Then the Bombers were back on another powerplay. But the Aces defense and Nick 'The Brick Wall' Minarik managed to keep the puck out of the net for the remainder of the period.

The rival Bombers regained the lead early in the second. It seemed possible with a goal lead that they just might be able to steal the AS Cup. But Kevin Smith blasted that idea out of the sky when he put in his second of the night, tying the game at 2. Eric Kuszinier, the shot blocking monster took a heavy Bomber slapper in the leg and spoiled a big scoring chance. A short time later Kevin Smith went 'hat-trick' with his third of the night, giving the Aces a 3-2 lead at the end of the second.

The third period started with Bomber momentum. They tied the game at 3 and were looking for more. But Mike Petersen, with all four of his 'Ace First Star Patches' freshly sewn on his home jersey, put in the game winner for the Flying Aces. Kevin Smith followed that with yet another goal. His fourth of the night. Making the 'First Star' decision an easy one. Then Darren Jones scored making it 6-3. The Aces kept the puck in the Bombers zone for the remainder of the game, giving them no chance to pull their goalie.

Smith's four goal performance earned him his first Patch of the season and third of his Aces' career. Mike Petersen had 3 assists. Ryan Warn had 2. Josh Lovering, Bill Marcolini, Mike Gianetti and Craig Jones each had 1.

Flying Aces playoff action starts Monday night. The Aces are calling up Louie Johnson from the Parkasie Red Barons.
-Bleck #19