BMT Line and Neville Run Over Rockhoppers in 8-2 Win

Nick Niedert made 60 saves the last time the New Jersey Rockhoppers faced the Aces at Aviator Arena on November 8. But Brooklyn, coming off of consecutive seven-goal performances against Hudson Valley and Danbury, wasn’t worried about producing offensively.

Why exactly? Three letters explain it all: B…M…T.

Combining for 12 points on the night, the Aces “BMT line” of James Brannigan, Kyle McCollaugh and and C.J. Tozzo, proved the New Jersey goaltender’s game of the year performance two weeks ago was simply a mirage, shredding both Niedert and the Rockhoppers defense to bits in a more than convincing 8-2 win.

“These guys are on fire right now,” said Aces coach Chris Firriolo. “They’re definitely a top line in this league.”

After a short-feeling out process by both team’s that included several solid saves by Niedert and Brooklyn goaltender Eddie Neville, McCollaugh, the team’s leading assist man, proved he could do a lot more than pass, scoring on a surreptitious one-timer after a beautiful backhand pass from behind the net from Aces leading scorer Brannigan at 11:31, giving them a 1-0 lead.

However, the lead didn’t last very long. At 14:21 Russell Spence got the Rockhoppers back in the game, scoring after a New Jersey penalty had expired, tying the game at 1-1. The resilient Aces wasted no time getting back in the game, as McCollaugh scored his second of the night on a beautiful deflection after a Tozzo shot from the point at 16:34 that gave Brooklyn a 2-1 lead going into the second period.

“I’ve been working hard,” said McCollaugh. “The assists have been coming, but I know I can shoot too.”

Holding down a one-goal lead early in the second, Brannigan, McCollaugh and Tozzo struck again at 6:40 after McCollaugh notched his third goal of the night and his first hat-trick as a pro. With the Aces offense beginning to take control, Neville, who had 39 saves on the night, got stronger in net as well, stopping several would-be scoring opportunities.

“They outplayed us in the first period,” Firriolo said. “Eddie Neville kept us in this game and to me, he’s the star of this game. If it wasn’t for him, I think the outcome could have been much different.”

Up 3-1 going into the third, Brannigan and his linemates continued to shine, as JB scored two goals through the first 51 seconds of the final period. At 2:45, Tozzo got jealous of his linemates and scored his first goal of the night, shorthanded no less, on an impressive one-handed deke move that put Brooklyn up 6-1. The Aces weren’t done hitting the back of the net however, as Mike Christensen scored on the powerplay at 10:47 to give the Aces their third consecutive game with seven goals under their belt. Mike Thomson took it one step further at 11:46, as he slipped a backhand past Niedert, making it a seven-goal game.

Chad Wilcox and Tozzo both got in scraps with New Jersey soon after, as the reality of an embarrassing loss began to settle in. However, the fisticuffs did provide New Jersey with a temporary lift. At 13:45, a Drew Sanders goal cut the Brooklyn lead to 8-2, but that was all the offense the Rockhoppers could muster.

“I feel like from top to bottom, this team has played really well,” said Tozzo. “We work really hard in practice and that has turned into success on the ice during games.”

Now 5-1 through their first six games this season, the Aces are sitting pretty atop the EPHL standings, possessing the leagues best offense and goaltender. Confident in the direction they’re going this season, Brooklyn feels they are beginning to understand what it takes to dominate.

“The offensive production is one thing, but everyone is contributing,” said Tozzo. “From Wilcox beating up guys and B.J Kuper killing penalties. We’re really working together now.”

Notes-

Before the game, Aces Over Brooklyn got word that agitator and Bensonhurst-native Jerry Cardinale was waived by the team and picked up by the Hudson Valley Bears. The roster moves didn’t end there however, as team captain Dan Rohanna was traded to Hudson Valley as well. 20-year-old forward Tony Resendes joined the team from the SPHL last night and notched an assist on Tozzo’s shorthanded tally.

With Rohanna’s departure, Wilcox is now the Aces team captain.

Video-

C.J. Tozzo and Chad Wilcox vs New Jersey

Photos by Ron Hatcher. Video by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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