Shams Shocked as Brown Blasts Bomb in the Third After Aces Score 3 Goals Late in the Second

The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington traveled to Shamrock Arena to battle for first place in the AIAHL's Federal C South. Kyle Turner was out with an upper body injury. Captain Darren Jones and Craig Jones were both healthy scratches.

Pre-game action found a drunk 'Predator' in the Aces' locker room looking for some trouble with Kevin Smith. Aces' Alternate Captain, Ryan Bleck, politely showed said 'Predator' the door and requested that he leave at his earliest convenience. On the ice though, it was all Shamrock in the first period. The Shams quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

With the second period came another unanswered Shamrock Goal. It was at that point that newlywed goalie, Nick 'The Brick' Minarik, lost his cool and knocked the net off the moorings. As the period wound down, The Shamrocks were sitting pretty and flirting with 1st place. But with under 5 minutes to play in the 2nd, Kevin Smith drove toward the Shams net and did his best to beat the last defender. As he fired on goal, Smith fell to the ice. The puck banked off the goalies left pad and hit Smith's skate. The motion of his slide caused the puck to bounce into the net. It was called a goal. The Shamrock goalie and several Shamrock skaters complained the puck was kicked in. But after a fast call to Toronto, the goal was not overturned. Shortly there after Ryan Bleck sent a crisp backhand pass to Mike Petersen who quickly hit a wide open Kevin Smith. Smith skated toward the net and deposited his second of the night. With under 2 minutes left in the second 'Juvy' Lou Johnson hit 'Black Powder' line mate Josh Lovering with a lovely pass. Josh 'Oh My Gosh' locked on target and tied the game with a lethal blast.

Tied for first place and tied at 3, the third period was sure to excite. The Flying Aces had found their groove and the Shamrocks didn't want to let this one get away. At some point midway through the third, the puck found it's way to young Kevin Brown, who was hovering over the blue line. Brown wound up and slapped the puck stick side, top shelf, past the Sham goalie. The Aces had come back from a 3-0 deficit. And the Shamrocks knew all to well what time it was. Time for Nick 'The Brick' Minarik to close the door. Nick gloved, kicked, blocked and covered everything the Shams threw at him to secure a 4-3 road win that put the Aces in sole possession of first place with a 5-1 record.

First star honors went to Kevin Brown who had the game winner and an assist. It was Brown's first patch of his Aces' career. The Ace EuroVan(5-1-1) was responsible for a goal and 2 assists. And yes, 'K' followed the van all the way to the rink again. Mike Gianetti stepped up and filled the substitute Ace Case. 

The Flying Aces are home in Teal, Tuesday, June 24th, as they welcome the Comeback Kids. 

-Bleck #19

Aces Lose AS Cup for the First Time in Bomber Blow Out

The Flying Aces donned the teal jerseys for the first time this season. And maybe the last. It was an ugly game from the start. The Ace' home crowd watched in total disbelief as the AS Cup flew away with the Flying Aces' perfect record. The Bombers came in hungry for the cup, scoring 10 goals to take it. Goalie Doug Leonard of the Perkasie Red Baron's got the call to come up and fill in for Nick 'The Brick' Minarik. Leonard seemed a bit off of his game, but the Aces played sloppy and slow. And they had not the slightestest bit of 'puck luck'. Mike 'The Machine' Petersen had two goals for the Aces. Kevin Smith and Ryan Warn each had one. Assists came from Craig Jones and Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering.

The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington have a ten day break before their next game. Plenty of time to stew over this one. I'm guessing they'll be wearing their greys to that contest.

It should be noted that Ace superfan, Trey Weaver, won the opportunity to sit in the Ace EuroVan(4-1-1) at the pickup point before the game. Trey quickly buckled in and said he was going to the game. And the Randy Morning hit 'Dirty Motorcycle' was played after the loss. This seemed to cheer the team up a bit. This reporter really enjoyed it.

Nick 'The Brick' to Wed His Chick, Once the SMOKE is Cleared

There are few things in life more important than Ice hockey. Some would argue that one of these things is true love. Well, Flying Ace goalie Nick 'The Brick' Minarik has found true love with none other then 'Flying Aces: Season 3 Bible' photographer Megan Davis. The two are set to wed in Ocean City, Maryland this coming weekend. But before the big day, 'The Brick' had three very important tasks at hand.

1. Remain undefeated.

2. Defeat the SMOKE.

3. Go head to head with Aces' season one goalie.

All 3 tasks could be taken care of at the same time on Flying Aces home ice. And so the stage was set at The Aspen Ice Arena in Flemington, NJ. The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington riding a red hot three game winning streak vs the Smoke. The club that stole the back page in the AIAHL off season by signing Ingram to an 'all or nothing' blockbuster 12 game deal. With both teams stacked with talent, it was clear the boys in net would decide this one.

When the Aces scored the first goal of the game midway through period one, the Ace bench roared. Kyle Turner came from behind the net on a wrap around attempt that Ingram seemed to have covered with his right pad. But Ace sticks kept slapping at the pad, as no whistle was heard. Finally Matt 'Donny' Donahue saw the puck and jammed it home. Matt Stockwell claimed assist, but the AIAHL still has that one under review. Now I could go into detail about the poor sportsmanship shown by the dirty Smoke defenseman who rammed his knee into 'Donny's' back during his goal celebration. Or I could give you play by play on how Craig Jones took care of said defenseman. I could break down two wicked goals scored by Mike 'The Machine' Petersen. Or I could give detailed analysis on as many as seventeen jaw dropping saves made by Ingram. But there is no point. For once 'Donny' scored his goal, Nick 'The Brick' Minarik did what he does best. He closed the door. Minarik stopped every shot attempted by the Smoke, for his first career shutout with the Aces franchise. Nick was awarded his record setting, 5th, First Star Patch after the game.

-Bleck #19

ACES COME BACK ON THE KIDS!

The Comeback Kids, responsible for 2 of the Flying Aces 4 loses last season, welcomed the club to the CBK arena Sunday night. The game was a matchup between two undefeated AIAHL Federal C, South Conference, Squads. Soul possession of 1st place was at stake. The Aces called up off season acquisition, Kyle Turner, from the Perkasie Red Barons to round out their roster for the big game. Pre-game warm-ups alerted the team of poor ice conditions.  Flying Ace captain, Darren Jones said, "This ice is crap. I'm really surprised. There's a lot on the line out on that slush."  

 

As soon as the puck was dropped, it was evident that this game would live up to all of the hype. Here were two powerhouses of the Federal C League. Two teams that came as close as you can to raising the cup, only to fall short. Two teams thinking this is our time, and this is our game.  And those two teams locked horns and began the riveting battle.

 

The first period was one of good shots and great saves.  Both teams were focused on the first place opportunity. Kyle Turner was asked to remove his Flying Aces, Season 1 throwback in trade for a plain white jersey. 'The Kids' felt his jersey colors were too close to theirs. 

 

After a scoreless first, the Comeback Kids struck twice. First on a one-on-one break, that ended with a nasty deke and a top shelf strike. And second, on a poor Aces line change. With under five minute in the second, the Flying Aces were down 2-0, and hadn't scored a goal on CBK in almost 4 periods of Federal C hockey. Enter Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering. After collecting a smart pass from Turner, Lovering skated right up the middle, wound-up and fired a blast of a slap shot that made the scorekeeper blush. The puck screamed past a CBK goalie, who seems to net mind for every team the Aces face. As the second period ended, the Aces were back in it.

 

With the third period came penalties, power plays, and plenty of wipeouts, as the price was paid for poor ice. Ace hotshot, Ryan Warn, fell 3 times on the same patch. Midway through the third, The Kids put number 3 in net. Giving them a commanding 2 goal lead. Nick 'The Brick' Minarik slammed his stick in anger. But with 7:21 to play, Ace defenseman, Ryan Bleck, hit Kevin Smith with a beautiful pass. Smith took the rubber biscuit and slammed it home to bring the Flying Aces within one. Then with under a minute left to play, goalie pulled, and everything on the line, Mike 'Don't Suck' Gianetti, passed the puck to Lovering. Josh quickly attacked and tied the game. A composite stick exploded into pieces near the CBK bench. Once again the Aces had come back on 'The Kids'.

 

There was confusion amongst the teams as the captains discussed shootout lineups. The refs officially informed them that there would be three minutes of 4 on 4 OT hockey, followed by a sudden death shootout if a goal was not scored. The three minute overtime did not see the Aces at their best. It looked at times that they would be settling for the one point that comes with an OT loss. But Nick 'The Brick' up to his usual tricks shut down wave after wave of CBK aggression. In the end the Aces did manage several shots on goal, but this game would be decided by a shootout.

 

Captain Darren Jones and assistant Captain Ryan Bleck turned to one another and, almost in unison, uttered the same name. Though he had fallen several times on crappy CBK ice, the Aces knew the man to go to in a shootout, was none other then, Ryan Warn. Warn currently leads the Aces in shootout wins. 

 

CBK chose to go first. They sent their best at Minarik, and Minarik did what he does best. Built a 6 by 4 brick wall that kept the puck out in the cold. Now it was time for Warn. Ryan chose a very slow attack. As he glided toward 'The Kids' net, he waited for their goalie to show any sign of commitment. And just as he entered poke-check range, Ryan Warn quickly ended all suspense and gave the Flying Aces their 3rd win of the season on a glove side blast. 

 

1st Star honors went to Josh Lovering for his two goal night. This was his second patch. A new category was created on teamsnap to monitor Warn, and other Aces shootout stats. The Ace van, now at 3-0-1, carried a record 7 passengers to the game, including Juvy Lou, for his maiden voyage and super fan, Rebecca Brendler's second trip in a row. Also on board, with the usual Aces, was Idrissa Sidibe all the way from South Bend, Indiana. And one last thing. Flying Ace Matt 'Donny' Donahue now holds the record for 'most times bringing the ACE CASE'. Way to go Matt.