Posts from ‘January, 2009’

The Brooklyn Aces knew last night’s game was an important one and even though they scored three goals in the third period, a flat start after an early first period goal doomed them in a 7-5 loss to the New Jersey Rockhoppers.

B.J. Kuper broke open the scoring at 1:38 on the powerplay after a Matt Tyree tripping penalty, giving Brooklyn an early 1-0 lead. The Aces wouldn’t score again until 12:37 of the second, when Mike Christensen scored on the powerplay. In between that lapse in offense for Brooklyn, the Rockhoppers got four goals from the quartet of Tyree, Kyle Bozoian, Matt Puntureri and Anthony Becker. Soon after Christensen’s goal, the Rockhoppers got another goal from Becker at 14:01 and one from Logan Bittle at 15:57, making it a 6-2 game going into the third period.

Brooklyn Aces head coach Chris Firriolo knows it. Team captain C.J. Tozzo knows it too. Even new addition Eddie Chlanda knows it.

Tonight’s game against the New Jersey Rockhoppers is going to be a huge test.

Calling it the most important game of the season after their win against the Hudson Valley Bears, the Aces know they can’t afford another sloppy third period if they want to come out victorious tonight. Giving up a big portion of their goals in the third period over the past few games, Brooklyn knows they’ll have to be on top of their collective games.

Forced to sign the likes of Derek Kern, Eddie Chlanda and Chris Robinson last week to rejuvenate their team, all three have been solid and have played a part in the team’s continued success. However, with ECHL veteran Dan Carney and Mike Christensen back after dealing with a personal matter for the past few games, the Aces will have an extremely experienced defenseman in the lineup who can play both sides of the puck and one of the best two-way forwards in the league. That alone should give the Aces an even bigger jolt tonight.

After last night’s game against the Hudson Valley Bears, Aces Over Brooklyn has learned the Brooklyn Aces have signed 37-year-old defenseman Dan Carney. A veteran of the ECHL, CHL, UHL and IHL with 13 seasons of pro experience to his credit, Carney arrives with the Aces blue line dealing with injuries to steady two-way defensemen Rob Miller and Nick Grove. Solid in both ends of the ice, Carney had his best pro season in 2003-2004 with the ECHL’s Roanoke Express, where he scored 14 goals and 37 points in 70 games.

“He’s going to be with us tomorrow,” said Firriolo. “He’s going to be a big help and we hope to keep him around.”

Brooklyn Aces forward Eddie Chlanda grew up on Hauppauge, Long Island in the early 90s, idolizing former Islanders all-star center Pierre Turgeon.

Last night, the 6′1, 205 pounder did his best imitation of the former Isles 50-goal scorer, tallying twice in the first period. His teammates weren’t two shabby either, as C.J. Tozzo and Chris Holmes both had two goals on the night as well, capping off a 10-4 Aces win over the fledgling Hudson Valley Bears.

“It’s good to get a win like that,” said Chlanda. “We had a lot of offense and were moving the puck well. We’re going to try and do that in Jersey tomorrow.”

Chlanda opened up the scoring at 1:35 of the first, taking advantage of a defensive zone turnover by the Bears and beating Hudson Valley goaltender Chris Polino with a sneaky wrist shot. The Bears fought back at 2:42, getting a Scott Estey marker that quickly tied the score. Derek Kern gave Brooklyn their second lead of the night after he deposited a wrister following a beautiful pass from Chlanda at 3:42.

After falling in a shootout to the Danbury Mad Hatters on Sunday, the Brooklyn Aces will take on the struggling Hudson Valley Bears tonight at the Aviator Arena.

For Brooklyn, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Dealing with a multitude of injuries, the Brooklyn Aces fell apart over the last 2:58 of their last contest, giving up two goals and later losing in a shootout in a game that many feel the team should have won.

Headed in a completely different direction with nearly the polar opposite overall record, the Bears may have 25 games left to play this season entering tonight’s game, but make no mistake, they will be playing the role of the spoiler the rest of the way.

Last week, playing professional hockey was probably the last thing on Chris Robinson’s mind.

Teaching the youth clinic at Aviator Arena before Aces home games, Robinson’s only solace on the ice was skating with his co-workers after teaching his classes.

It was there where Aces head coach Chris Firriolo saw him skating.

“When you’ve been around the game as long as I have, you know when you see someone special,” said Firriolo. “What’s so great about him is he keeps everything simple. He’s not flashy, but he’s tough and plays smart. He’s been dynamite since he got here and hasn’t been timid. He just jumped right into the fire. We’re going to do everything we can to keep him here. He’s great.”

A week later, Robinson was coming out of the team’s locker room- not as a member of the Aviator staff, but as a professional hockey player ready to make his debut.

Over the course of the season, the Brooklyn Aces have parted ways with several tough customers.

After the first handful of games this season, the team traded then-Captain Dan Rohanna to the Hudson Valley Bears in a parity move to help the struggling team keep pace with the rest of the league. The same day, the team let agitator and Bensonhurst-native Jerry Cardinale go on waivers, who despite his relatively small size at 5′9, 165 pounds, had no problem dropping the gloves with anyone in the EPHL.

Now, after losing Chad Wilcox to injury and maybe even suspension, for what may be the rest of the season, the Aces must find a way to toughen up and fast.

By Toni S. Johnson, edited by Patrick Hickey Jr.

Last weekend, at the Broadway play “Speed the Plow,” sat a handsome Clark Kent character, glasses poised, hair immaculately combed and casually dressed in jeans and a classic button up.

His smile was noticeable and his infectious laugh was full of energy.

“Life in the movie business is like the beginning of a new love affair; it’s full of new surprises and you’re constantly getting f****d,” reads the playbill.

Ironically, if you take the same wit and personality that gentleman possessed and put a pair of ice skates on him, give him a hockey stick and throw him on the ice, your superman will turn into the Brooklyn Aces veteran defenseman, Rob Miller.

But don’t let the Clark Kent look fool you.

Not only is Joe Lyle a solid two-way defenseman, he’s actually a pretty entertaining fella. After leaving the Aces once Hudson Valley joined the league in October, Lyle was brought back a few weeks ago and has been all smiles ever since. He’s done much more than just smile on the ice however, notching three assists and going a +9 in eight games with the team since his return.

Chatting with Aces Over Brooklyn last week, Lyle talks about game and shares his hopes and dreams with us. Well, not really. But he does talk about his affinity for former NHLer Jiri Slegr, in addition to telling us what it’s like to share the same sheet of ice with NHL Legend Ray Bourque and what his favorite hockey movie is.

Definitely one of my favorite Aces interviews thus far.

Check it out!

As always, you can listen directly here at:
http://media.switchpod.com//users/patrickhickeyjr1/AcesOverBrooklynPodcast126JoeLyleInterview.mp3