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.