Through five games this season, the Aces have a 4-1 record and have scored a league-leading 28 goals, making every goalie in the EPHL look like they were made of swiss cheese in the process.
Well, every goalie except Nick Niedert that is.
The last time the Rockhoppers were in town on November 8th, the Aces took 62 shots on the New Jersey goaltender and lost 3-2 after the team’s powerplay ended up going 2 for 13.
Since then, Brooklyn has lit the lamp 14 times in their past two games and have come full circle as a team. After winning 7-6 over the Hudson Valley Bears last Friday, despite playing their worst defensively all year, the Aces defeated Danbury 7-1 in their best overall performance of the young season.
With Aces goaltender Eddie Neville and the Aces defense core playing their best hockey of the season as well, Brooklyn head coach Chris Firriolo saw the game as a step in the right direction.
“We did the things we had to do in order to be succesful out there,” he said after the game. “I know it’s a long season, but after five games, you can’t ask for much better than 4-1.”
The only question is, what Brooklyn team shows up on Friday?
Defeating the Bears 10-4 in their last game on November 14, the Rockhoppers have plenty of momentum of their own and with players the likes of Kyle Bozoian, Justin Todd, Drew Sanders and Russell Spence all with six points in just three games, the Rockhoppers offense can fight fire with the Aces “BMT line” of James Brannigan Kyle McCollaugh and C.J. Tozzo.
After the team’s last loss against New Jersey however, the Aces felt quite different, believing they came out flat and failed to put a team away they beat twice during the preseason.
With both teams riding two-game winning streaks and obviously not liking each other very much, this game should be an entertaining one.
“We lost this game because we made mistakes. We know we’re better than this team,” Aces assistant captain Chad Wilcox said. “A bunch of us didn’t pick our spots and it ended up costing us. We know we’re better than these guys. We beat them two times before.”
Notes- Former Ranger Nick Fotiu, who scored 62 goals and amassed over 1300 PIM in 646 games played in the NHL from 1976-1989, will be on hand for the game and will also serve as the team’s assistant coach for the contest. He’ll also sign autographs and take pictures with fans after the game.
With five points in his first four games, Brooklyn Aces defenseman Doug Hoffman has proved to be more than a force at the blueline this season.


