ACES Erase 3 Weeks Of Disgrace

Tuesday night the FLYING ACES (5-5-0) welcomed the first place FLYING DUTCHMEN (7-3-1) to the Flemington Ice Arena. While the ACES looked to break a brutal four game Federal C losing streak the FLYING DUTCHMEN looked to keep on rolling and avenge an early season overtime loss. Kyle Turner was on IR and Mike Petersen brought the 'Ace Case'. 

The second half of season 9 has been very tough on the FLYING ACES and Tuesday's game was at first much of the same. The FLYING DUTCHMEN, playing crisp hockey, expertly cycled the puck and put a commanding 4-0 lead on the penalty plagued ACES.

 

But in The second period the DUTCHMEN learned the only lead in hockey harder to hold than the 3 goal variety is the commanding 4 goal lead. At the drop of the puck, ACE center, Matt 'Donny' Donahue, won the face off and took the puck into the DUTCHMEN zone. As he crossed the blue line, Donahue threw a soft bouncer at the net. The puck found its way past the shocked DUTHMEN goalie and put the ACES on the board. Lucky shot? Perhaps. But Donahue's goal ignited an ACE offensive that had been dormant for quite some time. Over the next seven minutes the ACES mounted a lethal assault on the DUTHMEN, scoring five times with five different skaters. Mike Petersen, Kevin Smith, Josh Lovering, Steve Leoszewski and Darren Jones all added to Donahue's key goal. The six unanswered goals put the FLYING ACES up 6-4 at the end of the second period.

 

The FLYING DUTCHMEN aren't in first place just for their cool jerseys. And in the third period they showed a couple other reasons, scoring even strength and power played up after Kevin Smith took a 2-minute minor for his critique of an FIAHL official. But with the game all tied up 6-6, Steve 'Leap'n Leprechaun' Leoszewski fired in the game winner for his second of the night. Mike 'The Machine' Petersen followed that up with two of his own to complete the hat trick.

 

The FLYING ACES 9-6 win puts them right back in the Federal mix. With one game to go the playoffs are just around the corner. Matt 'Donny' Donahue grabbed both the First Star Patch (his fourth) and the 'Johnny Ace' Cap for his monumental unassisted game changing goal. "I listened to Smith." Said Donahue after the game. "He told me to take that face off and drive straight to the net." Smith and Leoszewski had 3 assists each.   M Gianetti, Lovering and Petersen each had 2 assists. R Bleck also had an assist. D Weaver was a +2 on the night.

FLYING ACES Tail Spin Continues

The last place SHAMROCKS took the ACES down 5-1 Thursday night for the season sweep. Kevin Smith, assisted by Steve Leoszewski, scored the lone goal. The loss leaves the FLYING ACES only 2 points ahead of the SHAMS in the Federal C basement. Derek Weaver brought the 'ACE Case'. Darren Jones, Craig Jones and Bill Marcolini were healthy scratches. Kyle Turner was on IR for an upper body injury.

After one of their best starts in team history (4-1-0) that included a thrilling OT win against the DUTCHMEN and a dominating performance against the Federal C's champion MAVERICKS, two teams the ACES had never defeated, the FLYING ACES have stalled in the sky. Since the MAVERICK win the ACES (1-4-0) have not been flying. Their Federal C losing streak was streched to four games. In those games they have been out scored 20 to 3 and were shut out twice. They lost the A.S. Cup and they were swept by CBK. In said losses the ACES were missing a total of 11 skaters.

 

So what's going on with our fly boys? Let's look at some season 9 stats. When missing two or more skaters the ACES are 2-4-0 and 3-1-0 when missing one or less. When missing Turner the FLYING ACES are 1-3-0 and 4-2-0 when Turbo skates. The ACES are an impressive 4-1-0 on the road but a dreadful 1-4-0 at home. In Federal League play they are 3-5-0. In Patriot league 2-0-0. For the superstitious, the ACES are 3-3-0 in Gray, 1-1-0 in Black and 1-1-0 in Teal. All in all... Perfectly average.

 

 At 5-5-0 in this ninth season (62-56-6 all time) the good news is that the FLYING ACES have clinched a playoff spot. They have two games until then to get that engine started and to play some 'ACE' hockey. The ACES hit the road Tuesday for a late night contest with the FLYING DUTCHMEN at the Dead Dock Ice Dome.

ACES Can't Come Back!!!

The FLYING ACES continued their Fed C losing ways at home last Sunday night when they welcomed in CBK. Kyle Turner was on IR for an upper body injury. Craig Jones brought the 'Ace Case'.

The COMEBACK KIDS took an early lead that held until Kevin Smith scored his team leading 9th goal of the season to lock it up at 1. The KIDS came back with two unanswered goals for a 3-1 lead. Josh Lovering scored off a Bubba McCabe rebound late in the 3rd to bring the ACES within one. But in the end CBK held on for the 3-2 win and a sweep of the season series. "The team is battling and the pucks are starting to find the net. We are in the final push to the playoffs and believe we will be ready when it matters." ACE Captain, Darren Jones, told the media after the morning skate.

The short benched FLYING ACES travel to SHAM Land tonight for a 10:30 contest. The ACES hope to avoid another season sweep and to stay above .500. Aside from Turner the ACES will also be missing Darren Jones and Bill Marcolini. Mike Petersen is a game time decision.

ACES Get Bombed!!!

The FLYING ACES traveled to the Bomb Bay Arena Wednesday night for the 15th A.S. Cup battle with the BOMBERS. Short Kyle Turner, Derek Weaver, Bill Marcolini and ACE captain, Darren Jones, the short benched FLYING ACES looked to sweep the season series with the B-Boys. Once again Matt 'Donny' Donahue brought the 'Ace Case'.

 

The BOMBERS took it to the ACES early and often scoring even strength and power played up. The BOMBS handed the ACES their second shutout of the season. Poor passing, far too few shots on net and horrible puck bounces were only a few of the problems that plagued the FLYING ACES all night long. The BOMBERS 7 unanswered goal shutout performance was a harsh wake up call that spoiled the ACES return to Federal C play. Combined, the FLYING ACES have been out scored 12-0 in their last two Federal League games. The win brought the BOMBERS within one (8 to 7) on the big A.S. Cup contests.

 

The FLYING ACES welcome CBK to the Flemington Ice Arena Sunday, November 8 at 8:45  for some FIAHL prime time, revenge hockey. The ACES need to get some puck in net!