BOMBERS Take A.S. Cup

Thursday night the 4-1-0 FLYING ACES skated against the 3-2-1 BOMBERS for the 17th A.S. Cup contest. The ACES lead overall 9 to 7. Mike Gianetti was a healthy scratch. Matt Donahue brought the 'Ace case'.

After a scoreless first period owned by the goalies, the ACES struck on a power play midway through the 2nd. Kevin Smith's 12th goal of the season came from a Steve Leoszewski pass. The BOMBERS bounced back early in the 3rd to knot it up 1-1. That score held until, with 6 minutes left in regulation, the BOMBERS scored again for the 2-1 lead. Eric Kusznier scored next for the FLYING ACES, but the goal was called off for goalie interference. After strongly objecting the ruling, Kusznier received a game misconduct and was sent to the lockers.  As the FLYING ACES contemplated pulling their goalie, the BOMBERS struck yet again. And down 3-1 In the closing minutes of play, with empty net, the ACES gave up another. The A.S. Cup would go to the BOMBERS.

 The FLYING ACES travel to SHAM land Sunday to defend their first loss of the season against the rivaled SHAMROCKS.  

ACES Steal One From CBK

Sunday night the FLYING ACES (3-1-0), with an 'ACE Case' provided by Derek Weaver, battled CBK (2-0-2) to clear up a 3 way tie (that also included the BOMBERS {3-2-0}) for 3rd place. The ACES skated with their smallest squad in the club's 10 seasons of hockey. The Jones brothers, Josh Lovering, Lou Johnson and Bill Marcolini were all unavailable. Darren and Craig Jones lost their father only days earlier. Leonard Jones Jr., 68, passed away Friday in New York. In a pre game locker room conversation, the FLYING ACES dedicated the nights game to the Jones family.

On the ice, the ACES and the KIDS had scored a combined 39 goals this season. With the FLYING ACES averaging 5.7 goals a game and CBK averaging 4, an offensive battle was expected. But this was not the case. Sunday's game was a defensive contest, scoreless into the third period. Nick 'The Brick' Minarik was on top of his game. With the help of a solid defense, he held his club in there with a countless number of saves. CBK did however break through in the third to take the 1-0 lead. And that's how it stayed, until, with 5 minutes left on the clock, Ryan Bleck crossed the blue line and hit Steve Leoszewski with a slick pass. Leoszewski then went tape to tape to ACE point leader, Kevin 'From the Heaven' Smith, who tied the game with his 10th goal of the season. 2 minutes later Smith scored his 11th, the game winner, off another beautiful pass from Leoszewski. The ACES came back on the COMEBACK KIDS and hold 2nd place in the Federal.

Smith was awarded the 68th First Star Patch. His 9th. Only two other ACES have 9 patches. Kyle Turner and Nick Minarik.  Minarik is the current holder of the elusive Silver Bear Trophy. The FLYING ACES continue their 5 game road trip against the BOMBERS Thursday, February 25th at 10:30. They'll try to hold onto the A.S. Cup and grab a shot at first place in the Federal League. 

Dominating Dutchmen Dramatically Dropped

Monday night the 2-1-0 FLYING ACES traveled to Dutchland to face the 2-2-0 FLYING DUTCHMEN for an FIAHL contest. Mike Gianetti brought the upgraded 'Ace Case'. Darren Jones was on assignment in Mexico and Patrick Mack was recalled from Teterboro, causing a minor controversy with league officials that was quickly resolved.


Things started out sweet for the ACES with a goal from Steve 'Leapin Leprechaun' Leoszewski. But they went sour just as fast. The FLYING DUTCHMEN, with a barrage of breakaway attacks on Nick 'The Brick' Minarik, first tied the game and then took a commanding 3-1 lead. While the ACES played sloppy, battling just to clear the puck on the short benched squad. Giddy and smiling, the FLYING DUTCHMEN added 2 more goals for the 4 goal lead. A lead that was very reminiscent of a 2015 ACE-DUTCHMEN match up where the FLYING DUTCHMEN were crushing the slumping ACES 4-0. In that game the ACES roared back for the 9-6 win. Monday night the FLYING ACES roared back once again. Down 5-1 the ACES clawed their way back on an astounding 4 goal performance from Mike 'The Machine' Petersen. Leoszewski added another and Kevin Smith scored his 9th of the season. But down 7-6 with 6.6 seconds left in the third period, the DUTCHMEN, with empty net and extra attacker, were determined not to blow yet another 4 goal lead. They tied it up as time expired.


So the 7-7 game would be decided in a 3 on 3 overtime. And after Minarik stopped yet another breakaway chance for the DUTCHMEN, the ACES dominated puck possession. Then ACE defenseman, Eric 'K-Man' Kusznier, deposited the game winning goal. The 15th of the night. Kusznier earned his 3rd First Star Patch. Steve Leoszewski took the Johnny Ace cap for his 4 point performance.


After the bye week, the FLYING ACES road trip continues when they visit CBK(2-0-2) February 15th for their first matchup of the season. The 10:00 puck drop is heavily anticipated. Tonight the official ACE band, Randy Morning, will play what is said to be their last show ever at Bernie's Tavern in Chester N.J.