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.

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