Aces, Rockhoppers Championship Series: Game Two Preview

With his grandmother in the hospital following heart surgery yesterday, Brooklyn Aces goaltender played perhaps the best game of his professional career, making 35 saves in the biggest win of the Aces franchise.

If the Aces are to win again tonight and claim the EPHL championship, Neville will be asked to rise to the occasion once again.

“Eddie was the man tonight,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo after last night’s game. “New Jersey was dynamite tonight and made him work. It was one of the top three hockey games I’ve been a part of in the 14-years I’ve been involved in this sport. Neville was phenomenal.”

Speaking of phenomenal, the Aces “Red Line” of “Super” B.J. Kuper, Jesse Felten and Andrew Scampoli were also a big part of the team’s success, as they were aggressive on the forecheck, in the corners and weren’t scared to take shots on net. Of the Aces three forward lines, the Red Line produced 12 of the team’s 37 shots and drew several penalties with their hard work.

“That entire line was dynamite,” Firriolo said.

While Kuper and Scampoli obviously had their moments, Felten was on fire, registering seven shots on goal and showing the energy of a Jack Russell terrier in the corners.

“This was the Jessie Felten I knew we were getting when he came here this season,” said Firriolo. “He played an amazing game.”

However, things aren’t all peaches and cream for Brooklyn. New Jersey had its share of success last night as well and with Pat Serpico playing his best hockey of the season and Chris Ferazzoli back in the lineup, complimenting the already potent offensive trio of Kyle Bozoian, Matt Puntureri and Tom Boudreau, New Jersey has the potential of causing serious havoc in the Aces end if given an opportunity.

Firriolo is aware of this perhaps more than anyone and will absolutely remind his team to pay special attention while in their own end, limiting turnovers and any sort of breakdowns that could put them behind the eight ball.

“I told Alan [Aces owner Alan Friedman] after the third period that this game could go either way,” said Firriolo. “And it was going to be a shame for whoever lost.”

In order to ensure a victory, the Aces will have to continue to not only get the amazing goaltending they got from Neville last night, but will have to play top notch defense and get the likes of Kyle McCullough, Tony Resendes and Mike Christensen, three players who were noticeably absent from the scoresheet last night, a bit more involved. Three of the teams best offensive players this season, the three produced only nine shots and were a combined -2.

If they can get them going and can shutdown the Jersey offense, the Aces will claim the EPHL championship.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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