Notes From The Flight Deck

February 7, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Asheville Aces News Release


RECORD TO DATE: 14-26 (28 points) 7th place in SPHL

THIS WEEK:

TUE February 8 ACES @ Columbus 7:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center

The Aces look to beat Columbus for the first time this season. The Cottonmouths closed out the weekend with a 9-2 victory over Winston-Salem.

Season Series: Columbus leads 4-0 (Last Meeting: 10-6 loss in Columbus, 1/7/05)

All Time Series: Columbus leads 4-0

THU February 10 Huntsville @ ACES 7:30 p.m. Asheville Civic Center

A crucial game for the Aces as they try to make up ground on the sixth place Havoc. This is the first of three games in as many nights at home.

Season Series: Huntsville leads 6-0 (Last Meeting: 6-1 loss in Huntsville, 1/21/05)

All Time Series: Huntsville leads 6-0

FRI February 11 Macon @ ACES 7:30 p.m. Asheville Civic Center

The Aces will be looking to avenge last week's two losses to the Trax in Macon with a big game at home.

Season Series: Macon leads 4-2 (Last Meeting: 4-2 loss in Macon, 2/4/05)

All Time Series: Macon leads 4-2

SAT February 12 Fayetteville @ ACES 7:30 p.m. Asheville Civic Center

The Fire Antz are on a hot streak so this game will be a big challenge for Asheville as they close out a three game home stand Saturday night. Season Series: ACES lead 3-2 (Last Meeting: 4-1 loss in Asheville, 1/28/05)

All Time Series: ACES lead 3-2

LAST WEEK:

TUE Feb. 1 ACES @ Macon (7-2 LOSS) 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Asheville were overpowered by the Macon Trax in this Tuesday night contest at the Centreplex. John Gurskis had two goals and two assists for the Trax as they defeated the Aces 7-2.

The Trax got off to a quick start with a goal from Gurskis, 1:51 seconds into the game, beating Aces goalie Nick Niedert on a deke. It did not take long for the Macon to make it 2-0 as Lou Dimasi scored on a shot from the point at the 4:05 mark. Aces Coach Jeff Brubaker pulled Niedert, replacing him with Mark Scally. Unfortunately, Scally did not fare well either.

Ryan Rivard and Edan Welch each had a goal in the first to bring the score to 4-0. The Aces looked to regroup in the second period and Chester Gallant helped out with a power play goal at 4:49. The Aces were able to hold off the Trax for much of the second period but Steve Zoryk and Art Mnatsakanov each scored late in the second bringing the score to 6-1.

Both teams seemed to settle down in the third period and took advantage of power play opportunities. Gurskis got his second of the night at 5:22 of the third, and then Brett Roat answered for the Aces, also on the power play at the 13:23 mark. The Aces were out shot 43 to 25 in the contest.

THU Feb. 3 ACES @ Knoxville (5-3 loss) 7:30 p.m. Knoxville Coliseum

The Knoxville Ice Bears overcame a first period deficit to defeat the Asheville Aces 5-3 tonight in Knoxville. The Aces played a very strong game, out shooting the Ice Bears 47-37, but could not put more than three pucks past Knoxville goalie James Roynane.

Asheville opened the scoring in the first period with an even strength goal from Peter Bournazakis. Playing a very defensive and patient brand of hockey, Asheville managed to neutralize the Ice Bears' top line of Kevin Swider, David Bagley and K.J. Voorhees for the entire period. Mark Scally was also solid in goal for Asheville stopping all 12 shots thrown his way in the first.

The Ice Bears struck first in the second frame on the power play as Marcus Forsberg got his first of three goals on the night. The Aces returned the favor with a power play goal of their own when Dan Pszenyczny faked a slap shot from the point and passed to Peter Bournazakis who was standing open next to the Knoxville goal. Bournazakis put the puck in the wide open net to make it 2-2. Forsberg scored his second goal shortly after, and then K.J. Voorhees made it 4-2 Knoxville with a power play goal of his own.

New Asheville Ace Eldon Cheechoo, who was playing his first professional game, showed incredible poise and was very effective on face offs and at both ends of the ice. His debut was topped off with his first professional goal that brought the Aces within one with fifteen minutes remaining in the game. Cheechoo, whose cousin Jonathan plays for the San Jose Sharks, picked up a turnover in the neutral zone, beat two Ice Bear defensemen, and then proceeded to deke Roynane and buried the puck while he was standing half-way behind the net.

The Aces completely dominated the third period of play with constant pressure and hard hitting that resulted in numerous scoring chances but, with Scally pulled for the extra attacker, Forsberg potted an empty net goal to put the Ice Bears up 5-3.

FRI February 4, 2005 ACES @ Macon (4-2 loss) 7:05 p.m. Macon Centreplex

The Asheville Aces looked for revenge on their Tuesday night loss in Macon as they returned to the Centreplex. Coming off a strong effort the previous night in Knoxville, the Aces were hoping to get off to a quick start.

While the Trax dominated much of the play, the patient Aces struck first when Peter Bournazakis beat Mark Cairns on a breakaway to put Asheville up 1-0. But the Trax were quick to respond with goals from Edan Welch and Mark Allen.

The second period was full of power plays as the Aces were penalized five times and spent most of the period killing penalties - including a 5 on 3. They were able to kill all the penalties off but fatigue set in and Steve Zoryk and David Deeves both scored to make it 4-1 heading into the third.

Things looked good for the Aces as Chester Gallant scored at the 3:53 mark of the third period to bring Asheville back within two. They continued to press but unfortunately, they could not beat Cairns again. Mark Scally got the loss stopping 35 of 39 shots. Cairns earned the win with 23 saves on 25 shots.

ACES NOTES:

The Aces made several roster moves this past week. Eldon Cheechoo was signed on Thursday and played his first professional game versus Knoxville that night. Jarno Mensonen returned from Wheeling in the ECHL and Peter Cermak was recalled by Wheeling. Asheville waived Chad Brandimore following the Friday night loss to Macon.

TEAM APPEARANCES:

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 - Brett Roat and Eldon Cheechoo

Wednesday, February 9: Player appearance at The Hanger - Peter Bournazakis and Joel Petkoff 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 10: Post-game autograph session - Peter Bournazakis and Eldon Cheechoo

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

*players attending subject to change*

TEAM NOTES:

Dan Pszenyczny and Ryan Crowther were named Assistant Captains this week by Head Coach Jeff Brubaker. Both players bring intensity and excellent leadership skills to the Aces locker room.

Eldon Cheechoo scored his first professional goal in his first professional hockey game on Thursday night in Knoxville.



SPHL Stories from February 7, 2005


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