Notes From The Flight Deck

January 31, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Asheville Aces News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 14-23 (28 points)

7th place in SPHL

THIS WEEK:

TUE February 1 ACES @ Macon 7:30 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Aces look to make it three wins in a row as they head into Macon. Ryan Crowther and Nick Niedert make their return to the Centreplex as Aces for the first time.

Season Series: Tied 2-2 (Last Meeting: 6-5 win in Asheville, 12/23/04)

All Time Series: Tied 2-2

THU February 3 ACES @ Knoxville 7:30 p.m. Knoxville Coliseum

Asheville will be looking to come into their fierce rivals arena and steal a win from the Ice Bears. The Aces are one of two teams to win this season in Knoxville and will be striving for more of the same on Thursday night.

Season Series: Tied 3-3 (Last Meeting: 5-2 loss in Asheville, 1/15/05)

All Time Series: Tied 3-3

FRI February 4 ACES @ Macon 7:30 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Aces head back to Macon for their second game this week versus the Trax.

Season Series: Tied 2-2 (Last Meeting: 6-5 win in Asheville, 12/23/04)

All Time Series: Tied 2-2

LAST WEEK:

FRI Jan. 28 Fayetteville @ ACES (4-1 LOSS) 7:30 p.m. Asheville Civic Center

The Asheville Aces played a strong game and showed definite signs of improvement tonight, despite a 4-1 loss Friday night to the Fayetteville Fire Antz in front of 2,250 fans at the Civic Center. The Aces played a solid physical game but were once again, unable to find the twine more than once.

Mark Phenow opened the scoring six minutes into the game with a power play goal on Aces goalie Mark Scally (40 saves on 44 shots). Asheville defenseman Ryan Crowther was serving a questionable two-minute Kneeing penalty when Sean Edwards put a puck towards the Asheville net and Phenow managed to deflect it past Scally. The goal against did not sink the Aces, however, as they played hard throughout the remainder of the first.

In the second, Asheville played probably one of their strongest periods of hockey in a long time, dominating the Fire Antz physically along the boards and through the neutral zone. A quick 2-on-1 goal by Sean Edwards made it 2-0 but the Aces battled hard making several big hits that gave the fans something to cheer about as did Brett Roat's goal at the 11:29 mark of the period. A strong drive down the right wing by Joel Petkoff and a drop-pass to line mate Peter Bournazakis led to a shot on goal and a short rebound with Roat on the doorstep to bang it past Fire Antz goalie Chad Collins (25 saves on 26 shots).

With the Aces heading into the third with a power play, things looked very positive. Unfortunately, some sloppy play on the power play resulted in a shorthanded chance for Fayetteville's Tyler Perry who wasted no time in burying the puck past Scally to make it 3-1. That goal was clearly the backbreaker for Asheville as they could not muster any more offense against the Fire Antz. Perry added his second of the night with just over two minutes remaining in the game for the final score of 4-1.

SAT Jan. 29 Jacksonville @ ACES (4-3 OT Win) 7:30 p.m. Asheville Civic Center

Even a dire weather forecast could not stop the Aces tonight as they played their best game in weeks on their way to a 5-4 overtime thriller at the Civic Center Saturday night. An exciting game of 'in your face hockey' did not disappoint the 700+ fans who defied weather warnings and came to cheer on their hometown Aces. The Aces responded, ending the game (and a losing streak) in dramatic fashion as Ryan Crowther drove hard to the net in overtime to put the puck past Barracuda goalie Randy Hevey for the Asheville win.

The Aces were clearly the more physical team on this night as they constantly punished the Barracuda players in the corners, in front of the net and in open ice. Chris Kovalcik played the role of 'Super Pest' as he did everything in his power to make the homecoming of former Ace defenseman Sergei Visegorodcevs miserable. Visegorodcevs' frustration became evident quite quickly as early on in the first period he and Kovalcik squared off at center ice resulting in an early exit for Visegorodcevs after Kovalcik landed several hard punches to his head.

Peter Bournazakis had a stellar night for Asheville with a hat-trick and Joel Petkoff, who was moved to a line with R.J. Roy and Chester Gallant, had the other Aces regulation goal. Crowther got the winner mid-way through the overtime period.

SUN January 31, 2005 ACES @ Winston Salem (5-4 Shootout Win) 6:00 p.m. Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Arena

The Asheville Aces won their second game in as many nights, again in thrilling fashion. Last night they came back to defeat the Jacksonville Barracudas in overtime, and tonight, it took a shootout to decide the winner. Mark Scally stopped all three Polar Twin shooters and Chad Brandimore had the lone shootout goal for the 4-3 win.

The Polar Twins struck first, 26 seconds into the game as Trevor Jobe picked off a poor clearing attempt by Asheville goalie Mark Scally and walked in on goal, faked Scally and slid the puck past him. Jobe's goal set the Aces, who looked to have some tired legs early on, back on their heels but they battled hard and came out strong in the second period.

Peter Cermak tied the game up at the 1:09 mark of the second and then Chad Brandimore got his first of the night with a strong wrist shot that beat Polar Twins goalie Rick Nichol over the blocker. Richard Gustafsson brought Winston Salem back within one with a power play goal with just over six minutes remaining in the second. Former Polar Twin Chester Gallant answered back as he slid the puck in on a two-on-one to put the Aces up 3-2 heading into the third.

A tight defensive third period ensued with the Polar Twins getting the only goal mid-way through the period as Mike Walling scored on a shot from the top of the face-off circle to beat Scally.

A wide-open 3 on 3 overtime left both teams exhausted and battered. The two teams then headed into a shootout to decide the winner. Asheville's Peter Bournazakis missed on a deke, the Shawn Aebig for Winston Salem was stopped by Scally. Chad Brandimore was next and slid the puck through the five hole of Nichol to give the Aces the lead. Scally took care of the rest stopping Trevor Jobe and Brett Cross for the shootout shutout.

ACES NOTES:

UNCA NIGHT & HAYWOOD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NIGHT - January 28 Fayetteville @ ACES

TEAM APPEARANCES:

Wednesday, February 2: Player autograph session - Ryan Crowther and Joel Petkoff at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 2: Player visit to Mission Hospital Children's Ward - Peter Cermak and Martin Viazanica

Wednesday, February 9: Player autograph session - Mark Scally and Jan Kentos at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 9: Player visit to Mission Hospital Children's Ward - Ryan Person and Brett Roat.

Wednesday, February 9: Player appearance at The Hanger - Peter Bournazakis and Joel Petkoff

Thursday, February 10: Post-game autograph session - Peter Bournazakis and Michal Pscheidt

Tuesday, February 15: Player visit to Hominy Valley Elementary School - Peter Bournazakis

*players attending subject to change*

TEAM NOTES:

In 10 games played through January, the Aces goalies faced 453 shots, stopping 395 of them.

Peter Bournazakis led the Aces in January with 15 points, Joel Petkoff and Brett Roat are tied for second with 11 points each this month.

Chris Kovalcik led the Aces in penalty minutes in January with 47.



SPHL Stories from January 31, 2005


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