Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Lovering-Turner Overdrive


The FLYING ACES Roll On Down the Highway to SHAM land for game 2 after Takin' Care of Business at home Sunday night in Flemington in front of a max capacity crowd. The pivotal, 4-3, game 1 win gives the ACES a commanding lead in the best of 3 series for the FIAHL Federal Cup.
The ACES have been here before though. In their fourth season in the Federal the 6-4-0 FLYING ACES shocked the league and made a run all the way to the finals against the very same SHAMROCKS. After taking game 1 the ACES dropped the next two for a 2-1 series loss despite a dramatic empty net comeback in the 3rd period of game 3. But this season's ACE squad is looking to finish things off Sunday night and rase the cup for the first time in franchise history.
Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering and Kyle 'Turbo' Turner lead the game one charge with 2 goals each. Lovering also had an assist. Mike Petersen had 3 assists and Steve Leoszewski had 1. In net Nick Minarik was sensational. Turner took the 'First Star Patch' for his timely game winning goal and Ryan Bleck took the 'Johnny Ace Cap' for outstanding defensive play. The 'Ace Case' was properly filled for the big win by Mike Gianetti. And Bill Marcolini, a healthy scratch, is on the roster for Sunday night's game 2 action at SHAMROCKS on January 3rd of the new year. The puck drops at 8:45. Tickets are not available.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

ACES Hold Off DUTCHMEN And Head To Finals


'Twas the game before Christmas, two thousand fifteen
At the league semi-finals, the ACES chasing the dream.
The DUTCHMEN came angry and ready for action
To avenge Donny’s goal and its goal chain reaction.
While their children were home in their beds and asleep
The FLYING ACES recalled the full season sweep.
And from the drop of the puck their attack it was blinding
Punching holes in the defense and the goalie behind them.
Relentless was Johnson also known as ‘Juvy’ Lou.
Leoszewski scored one goal Lovering scored two.
God gave the earth Jesus, One hell of a gift.
To the ACES, from the heavens, he gave Kevin Smith.
Who tallied a hat-trick and assisted a goal.
That’s an 8 point post season from that heavenly soul.
Marcolini and Stockwell and their grind line played tight.
Though rarely attacking they were even on the night.
But the refs calls became slanted not in a good way
So we ranted and panted and killed power plays.
Suddenly Turner, both brilliant and bold,                                                      
in short-handed fashion, scored a break away goal.
Then the DUTCHMAN roared back with conviction and vigor.
Cycling and passing and pulling the trigger.
With the lead cut to three, then to two, then to one
They grabbed the momentum, we were under the gun.
We frantically skated, Petersen playing D
Out there with Weaver and sometimes with me.
And with two minutes left the time ran so slowly.
We put out our best line and they pulled their goalie.
In dramatic fashion we won 6 to 7.
A big thanks to Josh, Steve, Kyle, and Kevin.
And how about our goalie, St. Nick Minarik?
Side to side, sixty saves.  Blocker, glove, stick and kick.
He stopped two penalty shots on the way to the win.
Let’s sign him to ten years, then sign him again.
The ACE Cap to defensemen, Mike Gianetti,                                                                                           an honor that tops anything under the tree.
Kusznier took ‘First Star’, he had two assists.
He was awarded the game patch and the ACE Christmas gift.
Then out in the lot Captain Jones gave us the nod.
So sad that he missed it, so proud of his squad.
He said "Cheers to the ACES and our 66th win.
Headed back to the finals with the SHAMROCKS again."
And what luck for the rookie Young Bubba McCabe.
His first season the finals the kids got it made.
So on this winter morning with your loved ones at home
Have a very merry Christmas and…
Hey…  Where the hell was Craig Jones?

Friday, December 18, 2015

ACES Collect A.S. Cup And Head To Conference Finals

Last night the FLYING ACES (3rd seed, 7-5-0) welcomed the BOMBERS (6th seed, 5-7-0) to the Flemington Ice Arena for the first round of the FIAHL Federal League playoffs and the 16th A.S. Cup contest (The ACES have won 8 times, the BOMBERS 7).

In a penalty free effort the FLYING ACES dismantled the BOMBERS 5-1. Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith, who was awarded his 7th First Star Patch, lead the charge with three goals and an assist. 'Shock and Awe' line mate, Kyle Turner, had a goal and two assists. Mike Petersen had a goal and an assist. Steve Leoszewski had two assists. Nick 'The Brick' Minarik was awarded the 'Johnny Ace Cap' after his fantastic playoff performance in net. Josh Lovering brought the 'Ace Case'.
 
The ACES head to DUTCH-land Sunday night, December 20, for an 8:45 puck drop. Though the FLYING ACES swept the season series against the FLYING DUTCHMEN they will be short a couple key players.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

ACES On Fire And Turner Off IR

 Sunday night the ACES finished off their regular season on the road in MAV land. The FLYING ACES recalled Lou Johnson and Bob Mitchell from the Perkasie RED BARONS and welcomed Kyle Turner back from injured reserve. Matt Donahue and Bill Marcolini were healthy scratches along with Steve Leoszewski. Matt Stockwell brought the 'Ace Case'. 
 
For the second time this season Nick 'The Brick' Minarik and the ACES held the defending champ MAVERICKS to a single goal. ACE attackers, Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith, Kyle 'Turbo' Turner and Darren 'Rolling Stones' Jones, each lit the lamp and each had an assist. Josh 'Oh My Gosh' Lovering tallied two goals and an assist in the 5-1 ACE victory. Lovering took first star honors for the sixth time in his ACE career. "It was a great win to end the regular season." Said Lovering after the big contest. "It gives us good momentum going into the playoffs. The whole team played awesome. A lot of solid passing that we've been missing." Lovering then added, "Ultimately, I think we are still rolling strong off Donny's goal against the Dutchmen." Before Matt 'Donny' Donahue's goal the ACES had scored six goals in their last 5 games. A 1.2 goal a game average. Since and including 'Donny's' goal the FLYING ACES have scored 14 times in two games. Mike Petersen had two assists. Ryan Bleck and Lou Johnson each had an assist.

So the ACES await the playoffs with a 7-5-0 record (their fourth best in nine seasons). Currently sitting in third place, their seeding will be determined by the outcome of the Federal C's next week of games. Playoffs will start for the FLYING ACES on Monday, December 14th at 10:00 PM or Wednesday, December 16th at 10:30 PM. With almost two weeks off until their next game, we hope the ACES keep skating during all this down time.