ACES Fall in Familiar Fashion

The Melick FLYING ACES of Flemington were eliminated from the AIAHL Federal C Finals by WHACK-A-MOLE in a two game sweep. The ACES battled, but could not grab a win from the very team that swept them in last season's finals too. The WHACKS will also be appearing in the Iron B Finals against the HITMEN after downing the BUZZARDS in the B semis. League Commissioner, Bill Auld, officially bumped WHACK-A-MOLE up to the Iron B league (for next season play) at the Captains meeting, Wednesday night in Whitehouse Station. 

The FLYING ACES were unable to come to terms with winger, 'Juvy' Lou Johnson, for season 7. "This is a huge loss." said alternate captain Ryan Bleck. " Juvy Lou was a big part of our team. He will be missed and we hope he will skate with the ACES again someday". So far Johnson is the only ACE not to resign.

 

THE GAME BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the game before Christmas, the ACES were high.

Some parking lot pregame and then time to fly.

C. Jones came early, he was waiting with 'G'.

Lovering took the Euro with Donny and me.

Our banter was witty, Donny pulled out 'the case'.

Then out walked Smitty, a smile on his face.

"These HITMEN are nasty.  Their league, Iron B.

11 - 5 they beat us, before that 9 to 3.

So tonight just play hockey," is what Smitty said.

"Have fun with this free ice.  Then home and to bed."

We next moved the pregame to locker room 4.

Some beer and some Twisted T, and perhaps a bit more.

Through the door entered Weaver, with his bag and his sticks.

Followed by Turner and Nick Minarik.

But with 'Juvy' on IR, and Stockwell a scratch.

D. Jones in the city, they'd all miss the match.

And out so was Petersen and Marcolini too.

And Kusznier with a question mark, but Ryan Warn came through.

So with 6 ACES missing it was quite plain to see

We'd have 2 lines of offense and 3 guys on D.

The HITMEN started hitting , the ACES scratched and scraped.

We had a great time playing, season 6's final game.

Midway through the second, we were in a hole.

But we gave all we could give them and Turner scored 2 goals.

And when I moved to offense, I was by no means great.

But when it came to faceoffs, I won 6 of 8.

 

Great season ACES! Happy holidays!

-Bleck

Smith Drives ACES Past CBK for Conference Title

The Melick FLYING ACES of Flemington are making the most of OT hockey this post season. And Kevin Smith is a huge part of the action. Trailing the COMEBACK KIDS 2-0 in the 2nd period of Sunday nights contest, the ACES' first line center scored the first of his two goals and let CBK know the ACES weren't done yet. Then Smith tied the game early in the third period with his second of the night (his fourth of the post season). And from that point on both goalies played lights out hockey, stopping all shots for the remainder of regulation play. And with 46 seconds left in the first OT, Smith struck again. This time with a perfect assist to line-mate Ryan Warn who blasted the puck home for the game winner. Warn took home the First Star Honor for his late game goal. Smith and 'The Brick' were obviously in the running. Nick Minarik gave up only one even strength goal Sunday night. The other goal was scored when CBK had a 5 on 3 powerplay on Ryan Bleck and Derek Weaver penalties.

 ACE 'super fan' Rebecca B cheered on her ACES all game long and was more than ready to drop the gloves when CBK fans started talking trash. The ACES roared after the game when Rebecca stuck her head in the locker and said "Great job boys!"

 The FLYING ACES now head to the AIAHL Federal C Finals for the third season in a row to face WHACK-A-MOLE for the second season in a row. The two teams split games in the regular season. The ACES won the first 3-0 and lost the second 4-5. The FLYING ACES have yet to raise 'the cup' and are 1-3-1 in the finals. Let's hope this is their year.

#19

ACES Advance With O.T. Thriller

There were two minutes left in regulation. It was the first round of the AIAHL Federal C Playoffs. The 'road dog' Shamrocks had a short bench and were clinging to a 2-1 lead. The ACES looked at the clock and wondered if this could really be the anticlimactic ending of a second place, 7-4-1 season.

 With 00:01:50 on the clock, the Melick FLYING ACES of Flemington had to start thinking about pulling star goalie, Nick 'The Brick' Minarik, and getting an extra attacker out on the ice. That costly even strength goal the ACES gave up back in the first period haunted them like an evil banshee from some middle earth swamp.  

 Kevin Smith of the 'Shock and Awe' line had scored a big one in the second to even things up for his ACE squad who had really been controlling the game. But they weren't getting the goals... 00:01:45 left.

 It was just two seasons ago that the very SHAMROCK team that now lead by one, knocked the FLYING ACES out of the finals with an extremely controversial game 3 overtime goal... 00:01:30 left.

 Early in the third period, the SHAMROCKS had taken advantage of two huge ACE penalty's. No time was wasted. They reclaimed the lead with a power play goal in a 5 on 3 situation... 00:01:15.

 With a minute left in regulation play, ACE captain, Darren Jones, gave the sign to pull the goalie. It was a last ditch effort to save their sixth season at Aspen Ice Arena.

 Minarik was ready to come off but the ACES couldn't clear the puck. It seemed every attempt was met with a bad bounce or mis-hit that lead the rubber biscuit to the awaiting stick of a hopeful SHAMROCK... 00:00:55.

 Finally, with 00:00:40 left, the FLYING ACES gained control of the puck. As they skated it out of their zone, Minarik darted off the ice to be replaced by that 5th attacker.

 Their were 38 seconds left in the ACES' season. Ticket sales were down for this contest and the small, home crowd quietly watched as the puck was carried into SHAMROCK ice. With 28 seconds left, 'Shock and Awe' center, Kevin Smith, got hold of the puck and at the 26 second mark, he tied the game. The ACE bench roared to life. And everyone knew this game would be decided in overtime.

 And 3 minutes into that overtime, Kyle Turner took what appeared to be an ill advised shot from the right corner of the rink. The SHAM goalie made an easy save, but did not notice Turner coming full speed to collect his rebound. And when he collected it, ACE forward, #16, Kyle Turner, deposited the puck in the net and won the game. Turner received his 4th First Star patch of his ACE career for that OT, playoff game winning goal.

 The Aces are back at it tonight at 9:15 at Aspen Ice Arena, battling CBK for the honor of conference champs.

#19