Monday, June 9, 2014

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.

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