Posts under ‘2009 season’

When Jersey Rockhoppers goaltender Nick Niedert was named the EPHL’s MVP last week, some questioned it.

Today however, Niedert proved for one last time just how dominant he could be, making 43 saves as his Rockhoppers defeated the Brooklyn Aces 4-1 to claim the very first EPHL championship.

“Niedert was dynamite tonight,” said Aces head coach Chis Firriolo. “He showed why he was MVP.”

Despite an absolute lack of offense, the Aces were the aggressors in the first, out-shooting the Rockhoppers 16-9. Niedert was on top of his game, making several solid saves, but was also aided by a Jesse Felten shot that rang off the goalpost around the midway point of the period. On the other side of the ice, Eddie Neville wasn’t tested much, but held his ground and played his part in keeping the game scoreless after 20 minutes of play.

Just minutes ago, Aces Over Brooklyn interviewed Brooklyn Aces head coach Chris Firriolo and got his thoughts on last night’s game and what his team needs to do to ensure a championship tonight.

You can download the file here @

http://media.switchpod.com//users/patrickhickeyjr1/AcesOverBrooklynPodcastChrisFirrioloPregame328.mp3

You can also download the file to your I-Pod here:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=294739484

The Brooklyn Aces may have a point when they say referee Mike Geoffrion made several crucial mistakes in his officiating of the game last night, but let’s face it: referees do not play goaltender and defense.

After the game got sorted out last night, the Aces were a different club and weren’t forechecking the way they were earlier in the game.  Jersey’s fourth goal, scored by Matt Tyree, was a weak wrister that seemed to have changed direction, but compared to the other goals Jersey has scored in the series, it was by far the weakest one. The Brooklyn defense also allowed Tyree to get a decent enough shot on Eddie Neville and possibly even got in his line of sight, something that wasn’t happening through the game’s first 40 minutes.

The Brooklyn Aces were absolutely livid last night when they believe referee Mike Geoffrion made a crucial mistake and lost track of the on-ice manpower for the Aces that eventually delayed the game for nearly 25 minutes, thus stripping the team of their momentum and costing them the EPHL championship.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in hockey and this is professional hockey,” said Aces forward Eric Frank. “This isn’t the first time these guys have made a mistake either. It’s always something new with them.”

“He shouldn’t be allowed to work in this league again,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo of Geoffrion. “He was terrible.”

Here’s the breakdown of the penalties Geoffrion called that caused the confusion:

At 19:42 of the second, Geoffrion called both Anthony Becker and Chris Robinson for roughing. On-ice manpower is affected, making it a four on four.

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.

Just minutes ago, Aces Over Brooklyn interviewed Brooklyn Aces head coach Chris Firriolo to find out his thoughts as his team prepares for the second game of the best of three EPHL championship series with the Jersey Rockhoppers.

You can listen to the interview here @

http://media.switchpod.com//users/patrickhickeyjr1/AcesOverBrooklynPodcastChrisFirrioloPregame327.mp3

Or download it to your I-pod here @

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=294739484

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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.

The Brooklyn Aces’ Andrew Scampoli has been hearing all season from his family that he’d make a better forward than defenseman.

Tonight, he proved them right, scoring the game-winning goal with 4:26 left in overtime, giving the Aces a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Rockhoppers in the first game of the best of three EPHL Championship Series.

“I called for it and as soon as I did, it was on my stick,” said Scampoli. “I knew if I got it off quick I had it and luckily I put it right where I wanted.”

However, while Scampoli’s heroics gave the Aces the win, goaltender Eddie Neville was the real star, making 35 saves, including 13 in the third period to keep the Aces in the game.

“Eddie was the man tonight,” said Aces head coach Chris Firriolo. “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.”

Just minutes ago, Aces Over Brooklyn interviewed Brooklyn Aces head coach Chris Firriolo and asked him about his thoughts going into the first game of the team’s championship series with the New Jersey Rockhoppers tonight.

Check it out:

As always, you download and listen to the file directly @

http://media.switchpod.com//users/patrickhickeyjr1/AcesOverBrooklynPodcastChrisFirrioloPregame326.mp3

Or you can download it on your I-Pod here

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=294739484

While both the Brooklyn Aces and New Jersey Rockhoppers have gained tremendous reputations around the league for their offensive ability, it is their goaltending that got them to the playoffs this season.

In Eddie Neville and Miro Recicar, the Aces have the best tandem in net in the EPHL. However, of the two, Neville has been tested more against the better teams in the league, with Recicar getting the majority of the team’s games against the Hudson Valley Bears and also an unusual amount of offensive support through the majority of the season to boot.

If Neville’s value was in question or unknown going into last week, the team’s play over the last three games of the season proved just how important he is to the success of the team. With Neville out the last week of the season with a neck injury, the Brooklyn Aces struggled, as Recicar was not on top of his game. Falling behind in every game during that span, Brooklyn was not the same team it was when Neville was between the pipes and it showed.