Aces Notebook- Can the Aces Bounce Back Strong?

Losing two of their last three games, the Brooklyn Aces have hit their biggest low of the season.

Battling injuries to key players the likes of Joe Lyle, Nick Grove, Rob Miller and Tony Resendes and not to mention the half dozen other players like Kyle McCullough and Chris Holmes that have been playing injured over the past few weeks, the team is in desperate need of a few days off.

Despite their record this season and a 16-point lead over the Rockhoppers, the Aces can’t afford to finish the season on one leg. Aces head coach Chris Firriolo knows that better than anyone and feels that once the team can get healthy, they’ll regain the consistency that got them to where they are this season.

“Once we get a few guys back, things are going to be very different,” Firriolo said. “Things are really tough and we’re battling. I’m really proud of them for that, but once we get healthy again, I don’t think we’re going to be having some of the problems we’re having right now.”

While the Aces offense has continued to put up remarkable numbers all season, with McCullough and C.J. Tozzo not slowing down after the departure of James Brannigan, the defense has been severely impacted by injuries to Grove and Miller. Doug Hoffman has done a decent job in his own end, but his job to produce offensively, which he has done consistently pretty much all season.

Converted forwards Ian McLoughlin and Mike Thomson have shown flashes of brilliance at times as well, but with Lyle now possibly on the shelf, they may have too much responsibility to handle. Gabe Yeung has been solid since arriving from Hudson Valley, as has newbie Chris Robinson, but both are crease clearers and don’t have the two-way presence of Miller and Grove. ECHL veteran Dan Carney was brought in on Friday and went -3 in his debut, making the situation that much more confusing.

Simply put, the Aces blue line is easily the most talented in the league. However, the right combinations have to be made in order for each player to thrive in their respective roles and they have to get healthy. If they don’t, Eddie Neville and Miro Recicar have to step up their games as well.

That has been where the biggest problem has been over the past three games, as the defense’s lapses have not been covered up by the usually steady tandem of Neville and Recicar. The top duo in the league, Neville and Recicar have been just as responsible for the team’s success this season as McCullough and Tozzo and have at times, single-handedly keeping the team in games. If they can’t get back on track soon and the defense’s problems with consistency and injuries aren’t solved, this team will continue to run into problems the rest of the season.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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