FLYING ACES HAND CBK FIRST REGULATION LOSS OF THE SEASON

The FLYING ACES headed to CBK Arena last night for an FIAHL 'Game of the Week' matchup with the COME BACK KIDS. The KIDS (7-0-1), who have been absolutely owning the Federal C League, winning their last six games, looked to distance themselves from a hot ACE team that had won their last four. But the ACES had not defeated CBK since a 3-2 overtime win in the season 6 playoffs that sent FLYING ACES to the finals. Before the game Matt Donahue introduced the 'Fly Boys' to Johnny Ace #2, the second ACE door logo. Ryan Warn was a healthy scratch and Bill Marcolini was on IR. 

ACE faithfuls came from as far as Montana to catch the action. And the FLYING ACES delivered. Starting with Kyle 'Turbo' Turner placing the puck on ACE goal leader, Mike Petersen's stick after drawing CBK net minder, Justin Romanowski, away. Petersen blasted the puck into the net for a 1-0 lead. Early in the second Turner and Petersen teamed up again with the help of Steve Leoszewski. The result was a 2-0 lead. Turner's second assist of the night made him ACE assist leader with 12. Then the COME BACK KIDS, living up to their name, scored twice. One from Nathon Charron and one from Joe Schlesser to knot the game up at 2-2.

The third period was a thing of beauty for both ACE faithfuls and the ACES alike. Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering scored what would become the game winner on a defensemen special that went Ryan Bleck to Mike Gianetti to Lovering to the back of the net. Then Steve Leoszewski hooked up with Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith for some 'full coverage ACE insurance' and a 4-2 lead. All the while Nick 'Dos Brick' Minarik was up to his usual tricks. Hip hopping, flip flopping, eye popping, puck stopping play in net with a classic Brick highlight reel performance.

With just over eight minutes to play in the third things got a bit ugly, as they sometimes do in Fed C hockey. The ACES combined for over 16 minutes in penalties that included a (over) hand pass from Mike Petersen that was clearly aimed at the head of a high sticking, hand smacking, cage whacking COME BACK KID. At one point there were 3 aces in the box. Not a bad hand in poker. In the end the FLYING ACES went into D mode, killing off an assortment of penalties including a 5 on 3 CBK power play. The clock on the busted and broken score board finally hit 00:00:00 and the 'Fly Boys' had themselves a win. 

After the game 'Turbo' Turner told a pack of eager reporters, "It was an honor to get the patch tonight, but more importantly I'm glad we got the win". It's that attitude on and off the ice plus two key assists that earned Turner First Star honors.

So the second place ACES, three points out of first with a game in hand, headed out to the parking lot and drank from an ice cold 'ACE Case' provided by Derek Weaver.

The FLYING ACES head back home for a late one Thursday as they welcome the MULLIGANS to the Flemington Ice Arena for a 10:15 puck drop. 

And on a closing note, the stat sheet indicated a liquid hat trick for 'Donny' who hit the tea, the fireball and the beer.