Recicar Solid in Return, Aces Fly By Mad Hatters 3-1

Over the past week, the Brooklyn Aces have proved they can play just as gritty as the Danbury Mad Hatters, despite being out-sized and out-manned.

This afternoon, they did it again, but it wasn’t pretty.

Both teams fought hard all game long, combining for 44 penalty minutes, but it was the Aces who ended up prevailing in a 3-1 win, thanks in part to a solid defensive effort, quality goaltending and of course, timely offense.

“Today, we were very consistent,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo. “We battled through a lot last night and showed a lot of character and to do what we did today was very impressive. We’re starting to gel and play better defense.”

Miro Recicar made his first appearance for Brooklyn since Dec. 6, after a stint with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL and dealing with an injured ankle afterwards. Shaky at the start, Recicar gave up an Igor Karlov tally at 4:59 that put Danbury ahead 1-0.

With 7:34 remaining in the first, Mike Christensen continued his hot play as of late, scoring on a rebound after an Ian McLoughlin shot from the point on the powerplay to tie the score at 1-1. Just 1:32 later, James Brannigan lit the lamp for the league-leading 21st time this season, also with the man-advantage, giving Brooklyn a 2-1 lead going into the second.

“We felt good,” said Christensen. “We’re tired and beat up and they play a physical game. They bang out there and work really hard. We really pulled through though.”

Things started off quietly in the second until a Kyle McCollaugh goal at 8:13 made it a two-goal game at 3-1. The score remained that way in the third, as Recicar settled down nicely after a shaky first. Danbury goaltender Derek MacIntyre was also solid, despite facing a handful of powerplay opportunities.

Now winners of their last four, the Aces extended their first place lead over the New Jersey Rockhoppers, who play the Hudson Valley Bears later tonight, to 13 points.

Battling injuries and team-wide fatigue, the Aces have found a way to run on virtually all cylinders. Nevertheless, they understand that things can change very quickly if they don’t continue to play with the same amount of passion they’ve been playing with lately.

“We’ll have time to rest later,” said Recicar. “We have to stay focused right now.”

Notes-

The Aces will play their third game in a row tomorrow in Hudson Valley.

Recicar is scheduled to get the start tomorrow as well.

The Aces were two for nine on the powerplay.

Recicar made 20 saves in his return.

Dealing with an injury to defenseman Mike Richards, the Aces were forced to dress Brannigan’s older brother, Bobby, 29, who played his college hockey at SUNY-Fredonia. He was -1 on the night on one shift.

“I always wanted to play pro hockey with my brother,” he said. “In all the years that we’ve played, we’ve never played together. It was a lot of fun.”

Injury Update-

Tony Resendes is expected back sometime next week from a second degree MCL sprain he suffered on Dec. 18 against Danbury.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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