Late Rebels surge downs Aviators

ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira Aviators (19-29-3-1) could not keep up with a fiery Philadelphia Rebels (21-27-2-1) attack, losing 7-2 Friday night.

The first two periods were the farthest thing from a reflection of Friday’s final score. Defenses reigned supreme, with both offenses failing to register double-digit shots in the opening period.

The first period moved at a brisk pace. There were no penalties by either side.

The ice opened up slightly more in the middle period, with the Aviators drawing first blood. Elmira was gifted a power play after Nicholas Bianchi was called for a tripping infraction.

It took only ten seconds for the Aviator power play to capitalize. Gavin Duckworth fed it down to the side of the goal, where Curtiss Sturgeon did the rest, opening up Philadelphia goaltender Owen Crudale and sliding it through the five-hole.

The Rebels would grab the next two goals from two depth scorers, Charlie Spencer and Ethan McEneany. Still, the game was tight; scoring chances were hard to come by.

That all went out the window in the third period.

The Rebels broke the game open when they scored twice in 15 seconds from a sweet Ruslan Jamaldinov finish followed by Spencer’s second of the night.

Philadelphia went on to score five third-period goals and seven total unanswered. 

Elmira had one last shot of momentum going into Saturday’s game as Curtiss Sturgeon converted on a breakaway for his second of the night with four seconds left in the contest.

The Aviators will play their final home game of their inaugural season Saturday night at 7 p.m. The game is free to attend for kids 12 and under with an adult.

The game can be streamed on NATV and listened to on Big Foot Country Legends.

Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].