The Brooklyn Aviators were mugged — again — on Saturday during a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to the hated Outlaws in dirty Jersey.
In a near repeat of Friday’s performance, when Jersey crushed Brooklyn’s boys of winter 5-3, the Outlaws set their hockey sticks on rapid fire before out shooting the Aviators 38-26 and sinking in three unanswered goals past Aviators netminder Jo St. Pierre by the close of the first frame at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne — a period that ended with Aviator right winger Anthony Iaquinto shedding his gloves and brawling with Outlaw Tyler Barr.
The Aviators were quick to rally back — scoring three goals of their own in the second period — and it looked like the Aviators were going to skate away with a “W” after center Matt Atsoff scored in the third. But the Outlaws matched the offering halfway through the final frame, setting the scene for an overtime bout that sunk the Aviators, which now has a reputation of falling apart when an extra session is added. Brooklyn lost three previous overtime matches this season against the Cape Cod Bluefins and the Vermont Wild.
Saturday marked the Aviators’ third loss to the Outlaws, which is led by former Brooklyn Aces coach Chris Firriolo and counts former Aviators John Goffredo and Matt Puntureri among their crew of ice bandits.
The Brooklyn Aviators will head for home to take on the Danbury Whalers at Aviator Sports [3159 Flatbush Ave. in Floyd Bennett Field in Marine Park, (718) 758-7580] Dec. 2 at 7:35 pm. Tickets $12 ($10 for seniors and children under 14) For information, visit www.brooklynaviators.com
