Playing their first game since leading scorer James Brannigan was called up to the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, the Brooklyn Aces knew they had to prove to the rest of the league they had what it took to maintain their spot atop the EPHL standings.
Going into the third period tied 3-3 with the Rockhoppers, a team that has been playing with much more confidence over the last few weeks, C.J. Tozzo scored on New Jersey goaltender Nick Niedert, giving Brooklyn a hard-earned 4-3 win in a statement game that proved the Aces’ unquestionable heart.
Things didn’t start off well for Brooklyn however, as New Jersey got on the board first after a Kyle Bozoian marker at 11:29. The lead didn’t hold for long after the surging Jesse Felten tied it just 1:25 later. The Rockhoppers had the last laugh in the period though, as Chris Ferazzoli lit the lamp for the 13th time this season, giving New Jersey a 2-1 lead.
The second period started with the Aces getting a rare goal from team captain and enforcer Chad Wilcox, which tied the score at 2-2 at 4:02. Just 3:56 later, an Eric Frank marker gave Brooklyn their first lead of the night at 3-2. New Jersey tied it up later in the period after Bozoian tallied again with just 1:26 remaining, sending the game into the third period with a score of 3-3.
Despite the tie score and two powerplay opportunities in the third, Brooklyn generated only nine shots on goal, but got it when it counted after a Tozzo tally courtesy of Kyle McCullough and Mike Thomson with 3:05 remaining, giving them a 4-3 lead and a victory shortly thereafter.
Now 15 points ahead of New Jersey with 31 games remaining, Brooklyn has proven that while Brannigan was a force to be reckoned with this season, his stellar season was not the cause of all of their success.
Notes-
Brooklyn goaltender Eddie Neville made 28 saves.
Gabe Yeung and Joey Grasso, the Aces two new additions, were both -1 on the night.
The Aces were one for four on the powerplay.
The game’s attendance was 1,057.
Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.
Related posts:
- Danbury Stays Alive, Fend Off Aces in 4-3 Overtime Win After Danbury’s Chad Jones scored 57 seconds into overtime to...
- Neville and Scampoli Lift Aces Over Rockhoppers 3-2 in Game One The Brooklyn Aces’ Andrew Scampoli has been hearing all season...
- Christensen’s Hat Trick Powers Aces Win Over Hudson Valley Behind a hat trick from Mike Christensen, the Brooklyn Aces...
- Duguay Flies High, Aces Crash in 4-3 OT Loss Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay may have proved...
- Niedert Stonewalls Aces as Jersey Claims EPHL Title When Jersey Rockhoppers goaltender Nick Niedert was named the EPHL’s...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
0 Comments on “Aces Snub Rockhoppers in 4-3 Win”
Leave a Comment