HOOKSETT, N.H. — With a 7-5 win already in the bag, Elmira (2-2) had a chance to sweep its weekend in New Hampshire against the Mountain Kings (1-3). A three-goal push tied the game in the third for the Aviators, but New Hampshire responded with a go-ahead goal and an empty netter to seal a 6-4 win.
Forward Matt Maglio opened the scoring with a snipe on the power play. Elmira's power play entered the game at a 40% clip and converted on its second opportunity. New Hampshire took control of the game afterward, though, scoring two in the first period and the only two goals of the second.
Elmira entered the third period with a power-play opportunity to try and spark the comeback. With the puck at the blue line, defenseman Kevin Delaney took a shot and created a rebound that forward Matt Maglio buried for his second goal of the night. Just 58 seconds into the third, the Aviators cut the lead to two.
Forward Timofei Korober created the next opportunity off an offensive zone draw. With a clean win, Korober got it to forward John Lowe, who snapped the puck into the top left corner.
With a one-goal game on its hands, Elmira was forced to the penalty kill due to a cross-checking call. The Aviators' penalty kill did more than its job as Pohjola created pressure at the blue line and stole a puck for a fast break. On the break, Pohjola found forward Cael Primanti with a drop pass. With Pohjola screening his shot, Primanti fired it home to tie the game.
Unfortunately for Elmira, the streak stopped there. New Hampshire forward Evan Ferraro put in a go-ahead goal, and forward Aidan Petroff fired in an empty netter shortly after.
“We are disappointed in the outcome tonight. We fought back and showed resiliency after going down 4-1, only to let it slip away with under two minutes to go. We made some mental mistakes that we will learn from.”
The Aviators are back in action Wednesday in Minnesota for the NAHL Showcase. Their first opponent of the three-game trip is the Minot Minotauros.
Story by Kevin Broderick. Every date, home and away, is on the full 2026-27 schedule.