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