Aces Fall 5-4 on Boudreau Goal in OT

Powered by a three-goal third period and a Tom Boudreau goal in overtime, the Jersey Rockhoppers won game two of the EPHL championship series over the Brooklyn Aces 5-4.

The way the Aces see it however, they were robbed.

With the Aces up 3-2 in the third, referee Michael Geoffrion was unable to sort out the massive amount of penalties he called, leading to a 25-minute stop in the action that Brooklyn never recovered from.

“He took this game into his own hands,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo. “He was terrible.”

Things did start out Brooklyn’s way however after Chris Holmes scored at 2:36 to give them an early 1-0 lead. Tony Resendes had an opportunity of his own a few minutes later, but missed the net on a two on one chance. That was all the offense in the period as both Neville and Niedert were solid, especially in traffic, where most of the chances were generated. However, with only 20 shots through the first 20 minutes, the majority of it was played in the neutral zone as neither team was willing to take chances big enough to induce real scoring opportunities.

Playing a huge part in the team’s win last night, the “Red Line” of “Super” B.J. Kuper, Jesse Felten and Andrew Scampoli paid dividends again as Felten assisted on a Chris Robinson goal at 1:42 with traffic in front to make it a 2-0 game.

“We were playing great,” said Resendes. “We were working them up and down the ice.”

A Chris Ferazzoli marker at 13:10 made things interesting, as the enigmatic Jersey forward was able to catch Neville out of position and slap the puck into a virtually empty net.

Brooklyn quickly bounced back at 18:51, after Mike Christensen scored after the puck was chipped towards his way inside the circles, making it a 3-1 game going into the third.

Things got a bit weird in the third at 3:07 when Geoffrion had no idea how many players were supposed to be on the ice after a few penalties were called, causing a nearly half hour episode that needed to be explained to both coaches. During this time, fans began to grow restless and players from both sides began to get off their respective benches and skate around the rink to stay warm.

Jersey defenseman Rich Jondo played his part in keeping the game from getting back in gear as well, protesting every time it seemed Geoffrion was ready to drop the puck.

“I have never seen anything quite like it,” said EPHL commissioner Jim Riggs after the game of Geoffrion’s prowess as an on-ice official. “How’s that for a quote?”

When things finally returned back to normal, Matt Tyree scored at 3:54 to make it a 3-2 game. 1:21 later, Ferazzoli scored his second of the game with a ton of traffic in front, tying the game at 3-3.

“If that delay didn’t happen and our guys didn’t get cold, we would have won 4-1,” said Firriolo. “It ruined everything.”

At that point however, Brooklyn was still in the game after McCullough answered the call this time for the Aces, scoring on a wicked wrist shot that beat Niedert with just 4:25 remaining. Just 13 seconds later, Tyree scored his second of the game, sending it into overtime for the second consecutive night.

As both teams headed off the ice, tempers began to flare as both teams voiced their displeasure with one another, adding even more intensity.

It took 7:10 into the overtime period for Jersey to light the lamp again, this time after a penalty was called on Eric Frank for hooking at 6:14, which opened the door for a Boudreau marker that gave Jersey the win.

Now faced with a must win game tomorrow, the Aces know that they can’t make any excuses and must come prepared.

Otherwise, their season will be over.

“We have to come back and win tomorrow,” said Frank. “That’s what it comes down to.”

Notes-

The Aces went 0 for five on the powerplay.

C.J. Tozzo led all skaters with eight shots.

Neville made 38 stops on 43 shots.

Attendance for the game was 1,517.

Site News:

Expect a breakdown of the entire penalty calling situation by early morning, as well as a pregame piece as always.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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