So much for that winning streak.
The Brooklyn Aviators were sunk by the Danbury Whalers on Saturday night, losing 8–3 to the hated sea mammals at the Danbury Ice Arena in the Nutmeg State.
The stinging defeat sets the Aviators one game behind Danbury this season — their record now stands at 2–3 against the Connecticut blowholes. It also brought an end to Brooklyn’s five-game winning streak the A’s kicked off on Jan. 15.
Saturday’s game started slowly, with the Whalers earning the only first period goal after Sean O’Malley slipped the puck past Brooklyn’s netminder Jo St. Pierre.
But things started heating up in the second when Danbury earned a blistering-fast goal before the first minute was over — a goal that Aviator Matt Astoff quickly countered with a powerplay goal after Whaler James Sanford was boxed for slashing.
The ultimate massacre came in the final round: Brooklyn earned the period’s first point, but the Whalers — as if they were being led by mad Captain Ahab himself — lashed out with four unrelenting back-to-back goals in a frantic showing. Brooklyn managed to score one last point 13 minutes in, but the Whalers scored twice more, sealing the rout.
The game saw a rash of penalties on both sides, including a good ol’ fight between Aviator Joseph Pelle and Whaler Jason McCrimmon in the final moments of the third period.
The Brooklyn Aviators will return to the Aviator Sports and Events Center [3159 Flatbush Ave. in Floyd Bennett Field in Marine Park, (718) 758-7580] on Feb. 3 for a rematch with the Danbury Whalers. Tickets are $12 ($10 for seniors and children under 14) For more info, visit www.BrooklynAviators.com.
