SHAMS Slam Aces

The FLYING ACES welcomed the SHAMROCKS to the Flemington Ice Arena Thursday night for their home opener. These were the very same SHAMS the ACES swept in the finals to raise the Ira Vail Cup for the first time in team history. ACE scratches included Darren Jones, Eric Kusznier, Bill Marcolini and Derek Weaver. Craig Jones brought the 'Ace Case' and Bob Mitchell was called up from Teterboro.
Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith started this season only 2 patches back from Nick 'The Brick' Minarik and Kyle 'Turbo' Turner (both tied at 9) in the race for the Silver Bear. And Smith did all he could Thursday to get 1 patch closer. A hat-trick that included a goal scored a mind numbing 11 seconds after the puck drop (a new team record) and an assist would surely have been enough for First Star consideration, if not for the 9 goals scored by the revenge crazed SHAMROCKS in a 9-4 drubbing that ended the FLYING ACES 7 game winning streak. It was a frustrating night of missed opportunities as all the things that went right in last seasons finals went wrong Thursday night.
Mike 'The Machete' Gianetti added a goal to the ACES' tally. Lou Johnson, Steve Leoszewski, Matt Stockwell and Bubba McCabe each had an assist. Matt Donahue had a pregame assist when he filled a bone-dry Eurovan with high octane fuel.
At 1-1-0 the ACES welcome POWERTIME to Aspen Ice this Monday night for a 10:00 puck drop. Bleacher seats are still available. 

C League My Ass

The FLYING ACES kicked of their 10th season Tuesday night as they traveled to the Vulture Center to welcome the BUZZARDS back to the Federal League. Derek Weaver was a healthy scratch and Ryan Bleck brought the 'Ace Case'. Kyle Turner was designated to Teterboro for a season of rehab with the Blue Angels.
Goals from Mike 'The Machine' Petersen (off the faceoff) and 'Juvy' Lou Johnson plus 2 goals from Kevin 'From the Heavens' Smith helped the ACES erase several BUZZARD leads. Though the Federal Champion FLYING ACES were never ahead in regulation they always came back.
After the 3rd, at 4-4, the ACES and BUZZARDS became the first teams to try out the Federal League's new 3 on 3 for 3:00, overtime policy. And even though the FLYING ACES controlled for the majority of the 3 minutes and had more shots on goal, this game would be decided in a best of 3 shootout.
The Buzzards elected to shoot first. ACE goalie, Nick 'The Brick' Minarik, read the BUZZARD attacker all the way and made the save. The FLYING ACES sent Ryan 'The Broom' Bleck as their first attacker. Bleck drove hard toward the left side of the BUZZARD goalie then deeked right and fired the puck into the net. Minarik shut down two more attackers in business like fashion and the FLYING ACES took the 5-4 win, extending their winning streak to 7 games.
Bleck took the First Star Patch, his 2nd, for his epic shootout game winning goal. Kevin Smith took the Johnny Ace Cap for his 2 goal, 3 point performance. Mike Petersen had 2 assists and Bill Marcolini and Steve Leoszewski each had an assist.

FLYING ACES Sweep SHAMS For The Cup!

Sunday night the FLYING ACES won the Ira Vail Cup for the first time in franchise history. The cup had eluded the champs for eight straight seasons that included three consecutive appearances in the finals. Twice against a powerful WHACK-A-MOLE squad and before that a brutal series loss to the same SHAMROCKS the ACES bested last night.

 Down one game in a best of three series and desperately needing a win, the SHAMROCKS carried a 1-0 lead into the second period where FLYING ACE grind liner Matt 'Lock, Stock and Two Smokin' Barrels' Stockwell buried a Josh Lovering rebound to tie the game at 1-1. Shortly thereafter ACE nation roared with approval when Mike 'The Machine' Petersen charged the net and deked the puck past the SHAMROCK goalie for the 2-1 lead.

 Even though the SHAMS had swept the regular season series and out scored the FLYING ACES 7-2 in the process, it just wasn't in the cards for them last night. In fact, all the cards last night were ACES. In the third period the FLYING ACES struck again in power play formation. Steve 'Leapin' Leprechaun' Leoszewski lit the lamp after grabbing the rebound off a Ryan Bleck blue line blast. 3-1. The SHAMROCKS were getting frustrated and running out of time. They started to get a bit more scrappy on the ice. But Kevin Smith wouldn't fight and the ACES wouldn't bite. Behind the stingy goaltending of Nick Minarik the victory bound FLYING ACES began to defend the lead, making it a tedious task for the SHAMS just to get a shot on goal. Finally, with mere seconds on the clock, ACE forward, Kyle 'Turbo' Turner, broke out and scored the empty net goal that officially ended the SHAMROCK'S season.

 After league commissioner, Bill Auld, handed ACE captain, Darren Jones, the cup, Jones raised it triumphantly in front of the team and all the ACE faithful's that were able to get tickets to this sold out event. Matt Stockwell took first star honors for his game tying goal. Mike Petersen took the Johnny Ace cap for his game winning goal. And the FLYING ACES, the AIAHL Federal champions, were awarded the Ira Vail Cup for a victory that will be treasured and cherished for days untold.

Epilogue 

Donny's goal and the storm that followed

The FLYING ACES were in the basement, down 0-4 to the FLYING DUTCHMEN and riding a 4 game Federal League losing streak when Matt 'Donny' Donahue scored a soft goal from just beyond the blue line. That only made it 1-4. But the ACES celebrated like they had just won the cup. What followed was complete Federal League domination. The FLYING ACES roared back scoring 4 unanswered goals defeating the DUTCHMEN 9-5. And from there they just kept on flying. The ACES record for the six games before Donahue's goal was 2-4-0. In two of those games they were shut out. After his goal the ACES six game record was 6-0-0 including four playoff wins and the cup. In the six games before Donahue's goal the ACES were outscored 23 to 10. In the six games after his goal the ACES outscored their opponents 34 to 18. Who is this mysterious player the ACES picked up off waivers from the Stanford, Connecticut D League KINGS. And what does all this mean? I really don't know. But I'm sure glad the ACES have him.

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.

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 66^th 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?

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.

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.