ACES Shock and Awe in Overtime

The FLYING ACES started their three game road trip Sunday night with a thriller against the 1st place FLYING DUTCHMEN. The ACES recalled forward 'Juvy' Lou Johnson from Perkasie and gave defenseman Craig Jones the night off. Ryan Bleck brought the 'Ace Case'.
 

The FLYING DUTCHMEN are a new franchise in the Federal C league. They are farm team for the Iron B and much hated HITMEN. And the undefeated DUTCHMEN, chock full of speed, skills and highlight reels, were ready for some hockey action.

 
Though the DUTCH bunch drew first blood, the ACES quickly tied things up when Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering hit ACE captain, Darren 'Rolling Stones' Jones, with a sizzling pass that Jones put in the net. The DUTCHMEN seemed to have no shortage of offense though, taking a one goal lead two more times. But the FLYING ACES had no problem keeping up, tying the game after every DUTCH goal (thanks Kevin Smith).

Man for man the FLYING DUTCHMEN were the better team. But the ACES scrappy style of play, gritty determination and absolutely outstanding goaltending kept them at par, until Kyle 'Turbo' Turner, in the 2nd period, gave the FLYING ACES their first lead of the night at 4-3. Turner had slammed into the boards earlier while assisting Kevin 'From the Heavens' on one of his many goals.  But team doctors gave 'Turbo' a cautious green light to continue play. In the third the DUTCHMEN tied things up at 4 and seemed to have serious momentum. That is until Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith, struck again to complete the hat trick (his 2nd in 3 games), this time redirecting a Mike Petersen blast into the net. Late in the third however, with a single minute left in the game, the FLYING DUTCHMEN tied it up again. As the period ended both squads got ready for some free hockey. 4 on 4 style. And as the audience looked on, the ACES and DUTCHMEN reloaded their guns.

Overtime started with an immediate and very questionable 2 minute penalty handed to Mike Petersen. ACE nation roared in unholy disbelief and protest. Fast forward to the face off only seconds later in the DUTCHMEN zone. The short handed ACES, only three men and a goalie on the ice, were on the attack! Kyle 'Turbo' Turner was poised at center waiting for the puck drop. He won the face off. And with puck on stick, Turner watched the DUTCHMAN net minder lift his right arm a bit to high. Kyle 'Turbo' Turner fired a stick side, mid range laser into the net for the dramatic, instant overtime winner. "We gave up the late goal and it bent us, but we did not break." Quipped Turner after the game. "Time and time again we fought back and it paid off for us. The Brick kept us in the game and I'm just glad we were able to get him the win." Turner was the obvious selection for the first star patch and the 'Ace Cap' went to Kevin Smith for hat trick nastiness.

The first place ACES get a bye week then continue on the road to face the MAVERICKS on October 17th.