The Eels came once again to play and i mean play and that is exactly what they did as they handed the NY Aviators their 2nd loss of the Nationals and earn the Eels their second win at Nationals. This was huge indeed. In fact this was a bit more challenging than yesterday’s win over the MJDP. Indeed, the score at the end of the 1st period was 0-0 and the Aviators were holding the Eels feet to the fire as the score remained scoreless.
The Eels had to make several adjustments in this game and things were a bit askew. But within short order they found their game and came on hard and opened things up right quickly.
Once they opened up the scoring the Eels found their grove and they were back in sync. Before long the game got a bit chippy and penalties ensured by both teams as they traded 5 minute majors at different junctures. In fact, the Aviators capitalized on their 5 minute major scoring their lone goal of the game.
The Eels on the other hand continued to press and they simply had too much fire power for the Aviators to stall. The Eels went into their patterned offensive onslaught and unleashed their high octane attack that opened things up at the seems and delivered a huge win.
The Eels play on Sunday taking on the remaining team in their pool bracket to determine who advances to the semi finals.
Scoring went as follows:
Florida Eels 0 3 2 – 5
New York Aviators 0 1 0 – 1
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Santarelli Nya (tripping), 11:46; Malakyan Eel (roughing), 14:04.
2nd Period-1, Florida Eels, Goral 2 (Malakyan, Tourchot), 2:23. 2, Florida Eels, Gerstein 1 (Roost, Podrezov), 3:15 (PP). 3, Florida Eels, Gerstein 2 (Haddon- Harris, Roost), 13:39 (PP). 4, New York Aviators, Munoz 1 (Santarelli, Albrecht), 19:27 (PP). Penalties-Jaldung Nya (elbowing), 2:43; Espinasse Eel (high-sticking), 7:54; Jaldung Nya (slashing), 13:22; Espinasse Eel (major -contact to the head), 17:53.
3rd Period-5, Florida Eels, Stewart 1 12:23. 6, Florida Eels, Belgrave 4 (Haddon- Harris), 16:24 (SH EN). Penalties-Rundle Nya (kneeing), 5:10; Goral Eel (slashing), 7:47; Beckman Nya (holding), 7:47; Tynan Nya (tripping), 11:06; Maroszek Eel (major -boarding), 12:12; Chatwin Nya (major -contact to the head, disqualficaton), 17:32.
Shots on Goal-Florida Eels 17-12-14-43. New York Aviators 15-11-8-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida Eels 2 / 6; New York Aviators 1 / 4.
Goalies-Florida Eels, Caron (34 shots-33 saves). New York Aviators, Marino (42 shots-38 saves).
