Aces All Business in Final Game Before Playoffs

The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington welcomed the Shamrocks to Aspen Ice Arena Thursday night for their final game of the regular season. An Aces win would not only give them the series sweep against the rival Shams, it would also lock down first place in the Federal C South and get them a first round bye in the playoffs. Captain Darren Jones, still out with an undisclosed lower body injury, was once again designated to bench coach. Matt Stockwell and Josh Lovering were both healthy scratches and Eric Kusznier, a game time decision, was cleared for play only moments before the puck was dropped.

Now I've been to many Ace games. All but one in fact. And I have never seen the Flying Aces win in such a 'matter of fact' style. It was clear to this reporter that this game was an important step in the season for the Flying Ace Franchise. But their sights were definitely set on a much bigger picture. And it made it all the sweeter that Thursday's win came over the very team that beat the Aces in last seasons finals.

How do you make a statement in a hockey game? How do you set the tone? Let's think back to round one of last seasons AIAHL Federal C Playoffs. It was Flying Ace, Matt 'Donny' Donahue who blew through the Power Time defense and put the puck in the net 27 seconds into the game. This gave the Aces all the momentum and Donny the fastest goal in 'Ace-tory'. Well in Thursday's game, rookie Ace, Kyle Turner, did much of the same. Only Turner put the puck in the net 14.35 seconds after it was dropped (Fret not Donny, you still have the fastest goal in Playoff 'Ace-tory'). Turner's goal set the tone with quite an offensive statement. From that point on, it was a Flying Ace highlight reel with goals from Smith, Donahue, Petersen and Brown (and Warn, but his was not counted). Kyle Turner also had a nice assist. As did Gianetti, 'Juvy' Lou Johnson, Marcolini and Petersen. Ryan Warn had 2. The Ace defense was in shutdown mode reeking havoc on all Shamrock attacks. And then there was the Flying Ace anchor, Nick 'the Brick' Minarik. Nick took First Star Patch honors for the third time this season, on the back of yet another epic performance. At 8-0-1, 'The Brick' stopped every shot on net except a second period powerplay goal that he was heavily screened on. There was also a 2nd period penalty shot that was swiftly stifled by his seemingly spring loaded right Bauer Supreme One60 pad.

 The 5-1 victory was a landmark for the Aces. At 29-29-3 the Flying Aces are a .500 team for the first time in franchise history. They are 11-2-2 in their last 15 games. This season, the Melick Flying Aces of Flemington, swept the Shamrocks, the Regulars and the Federal C North games on schedule. And of coarse, they retained the A.S. Cup.

So bring on the Post Season! The Aces will be back in action at the Aspen Ice Arena on Sunday, July 27th at 9:00 PM as they host a team that has yet to be determined.

-#19 Bleck

Aces Take Down Regulars And Break Teal Curse

It was a hot night at Very Regular Center in Hunterdon New Jersey. And The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington, on their last road game of the season, came in with one goal. Total ice dominance. Captain Darren Jones, still out with an undisclosed lower body injury, was in the well heated locker room early discussing possible line options with Ryan Bleck and Mike Petersen. Black Powder liner, 'Juvy' Lou Johnson, made the call to wear Teal and try to break the season five, 0-1-1 'Teal curse', once and for all. Pre-game action also had the VRC Maintenance crew in the Aces' locker room fixing a set of florescent lights after breaking them in the 'change' process. Several Aces including Nick Minarik, Kevin Smith and Ryan Warn were outside the locker room cooling off when they noticed the Regular's goalie out on the freshly cut ice stretching and ruining a bit of the ice in the process. "That's very bush league" said Smith.

When the puck was dropped, the Flying Aces were all business. Attacking in waves and putting several quality shots on net. The Regulars, much improved from the two teams last meeting, held their ground and battled back crossing into the Aces zone with some chances of their own. But in the end, this was an Ace night. Kevin Smith lead the charge with 2 goals and an assist. 'Shock and Awe' line mate Kyle Turner was rite behind with a goal and 2 assists. 'Juvy' Lou Johnson had a goal. Ryan Warn, Josh Lovering, Kevin Brown and Craig Jones had assists. Nick Minarik let only 2 go past him. The first on a Power-play. 

The Aces 4-2 win marked their seventh win of the season. A new franchise record. Kevin Smith took First Star Patch honors for the fourth time in his Ace career, tying him with Mike Petersen. The only Ace with more patches? Nick 'The Brick' Minarik with 5. The Flying Aces come home to Aspen Ice Arena, Thursday night, July 17 for their final game of the regular season. They will be battling the rival Shamrocks. The puck drops at 8:30.

-#19

A.S. Cup quotes the writings of Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and Lemmy Kilmister when it says "Times have changed and times are strange. Here I come, but I ain't the same.

There was Federal C League South hockey action Sunday night at Bombardier Arena in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The Melick Flying Aces of Flemington came in combat ready to take back the glorious AS Cup. And there was but one thing in their way... The Bomber Hockey Club.

 

Captain Darren Jones was out with a lower body injury, along with healthy scratches, Kevin Brown, Matt Donahue and Eric Kutsznier. Kyle Turner was cleared for hockey action by team doctors. Mike Petersen, very unhappy with the 11-4 loss to the Bombers earlier in the season, took charge of the vacant Captain spot and came up with lethal tactics in a pre-game chalk talk. Petersen wanted to battle in teal, but let the team know it was their call as he didn't want superstition's to get in the way. The team held a vote to decide which jersey to wear. 5-0 grey vs 0-1-1 teal. Grey took it in a landslide.

 

The Bombardier Arena was filled with an unusual number of Ace fans, carrying signs and chanting Ace friendly chants to make the boys in grey feel at home. Ace 'super fan' Trey Weaver was spotted juming down the packed bleachers and singing the song of the Aces.

From the drop of the puck it was clear the AS Cup was coming home. Petersen's game plan caught the Bombers completely off guard in the first period. The Aces' play worked well against an attack patern that had helped the Bombers dominate in their last matchup. Kyle Turner took First Star honors with a three goal night. Mike Petersen had 3 assists, serving up 3 beautiful passes to Turner. Mike Gianetti had an epic, backhand, top shelf goal and a timely assist. Josh Lovering had a goal and Derek Weaver an assist. Oh and let's not forget Nick Minarik. He kept the Bombers hearts, heads and pucks out of it all game long.

The 6-1-1 Aces, in first place with the Air Supremacy Cup in hand, travel to the Very Regular Center next Sunday, July 13th at 9:00 PM for a rival revival with The Regulars. The Flying Aces will be looking for the season sweep. Go Aces GO!

-#19 Bleck

Aces Can't Reverse Teal Curse in Shoot Out Loss to CBK

It seems so long ago that the Aces fell to CBK in overtime, shootout fashion. The last time the Flying Aces were in an overtime, shootout situation before that was a June 1st win against the same CBK. Now let's go back to last season when CBK swept the Aces. Or the three seasons before that which were owned by the Aces. It's a true C league rivalry. Both teams trading wins, goals and respect for one another. And it's always a thrilling goalie matchup. But back to the Aces' second loss of the season. Kevin Smith scored a beauty off a pass from 'Shock and Awe' line mate Mike Petersen. Nick Minarik was on his game, allowing only one goal in three periods of play and an overtime. The Aces' D was also in tune. The sudden death shootout loss was fast and painful. CBK took 2 points and the win while the Melick Flying Aces of Flemington had to settle for 1 point. But at 5-1-1 the Aces are still in first and have a chance to take down the only other team to beat them this season. The Bombers Hockey Club. And oh did the Bombers beat them. They scored 11 goals on a sloppy Ace team (that did manage to score four goals of their own) with a backup goalie brought up from the Perkasie Red Barons. The Bombers also took the AS cup from Ace home ice. Well tonight at 7:30, the Flying Aces attack Bombardier Arena, hoping to grab the 'AS' and the 'W'. Captain Darren Jones is out with a lower body injury, along with healthy scratches, Brown, Donahue, Kutsznier and Stockwell. Mike Petersen will be stepping up to fill the Captains spot, setting the lines and running the pre-game chalk-talk. Kyle Turner was cleared to play by team doctors and will be out on the ice making up for lost time. Acting Captain Mike P has called for the Teal jerseys. So the Aces will once again try to get a season 5 win in teal (0-1-1 in Teal and 5-0 in grey). The Ace EuroVan(5-1-2) will be leaving the Ace Pickup Zone at 6:30 PM. Bleck's got 'the case'.