What a heartbreaker!
The Brooklyn Aviators were one goal away from smoking the hated New Jersey Outlaws out of their hideout at the Capital One Ice Vault Arena on Saturday, but lost it all during a nail-biting shootout — suffering a bitter 4–3 loss.
Hoping to turn their abysmal 0–7 season record against the crooked skaters from dirty Jersey around, the Aviators ate up the ice in the opening frame, netting two goals before the first buzzer ended.
Jersey quickly rebounded, tying everything up minutes into the second period, but Aviator Casey Mignone slapped a puck past Outlaw netminder Dan McWhinney at the 12 minute mark, ensuring that Brooklyn remained ahead by one as they entered the final frame.
But the top-ranked Outlaws refused to run up a white flag: they evened everything out in the third set, forcing a scoreless overtime session and the game-ending shootout that five Aviators failed to capitalize on.
The Aviators return home to battle the Danville Dashers tonight, Jan. 15, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center [3159 Flatbush Ave. in Floyd Bennett Field in Marine Park, (718) 758-7580]. Gametime is 5 pm. Tickets are $12 ($10 for seniors and children under 14) For more info, visit www.BrooklynAviators.com.
