Aces, Bears Pregame Thoughts

Although it was by the skin of their teeth in their last game on Friday, the Brooklyn Aces proved they could beat a quality team in the New Jersey Rockhoppers without then-leading scorer James Brannigan.

Now they’ll have to face an improved Hudson Valley Bears team and prove once again that they have the personnel to stay on top of the EPHL standings.

Against New Jersey on Friday, Brooklyn got a two-point night from winger Jesse Felten, who will be asked again today to be a factor for the Aces. While his 17 points in 19 games this season aren’t exactly eye-popping, Felten is one of the speediest players in the league and has the ability to take over a game. Working hard in the corners and playing a physical game as well, despite his size at 5′8, 165 pounds, Felten is one of the best two-way players in the league and someone who will be counted on down the stretch for the Aces.

Speaking of players who will be counted on today and in the future for Brooklyn, Ian McLoughlin, who registered an assist on Friday against the Rockhoppers, is beginning to look more and more like a defenseman every game. After starting the season as the team’s spare forward, McLoughlin has started to establish himself as a solid two-way defenseman. While the addition of 6′5 behemoth Gabe Yeung on the blue line takes a bit of the pressure off him, make no mistake about it; McLoughlin is a valuable member of the Aces defense.

When the Hudson Valley Bears got Jerry Cardinale and Dan Rohanna from the Aces in mid-November, it was supposed to be a turning point in their under-performing season. Placing Cardinale on waivers, despite five points in nine games on Dec.31 and having Rohanna on injured reserve until yesterday, the Bears haven’t been able to find a winning formula. Problems between the coaching staff and ownership have created an even bigger burden for the team as well.

However, in spite of all of their problems, the Bears now have Rohanna back in the lineup and have newbie Elvis Tomanovic, who scored in his first game with the team yesterday, in addition to Jason Szerszen, who was a second team all-state goaltender in 1994 for West Haven in Connecticut in the net.

With these new faces, Hudson Valley should have a different look out there, but it’s unknown if that look will be much different than the one that gave them a 1-14 record in 15 games this season.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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