The Brooklyn Aviators traded in their hockey sticks for harpoon guns on Friday night as they speared the Danbury Whalers for the second time this week, dominating the ice with an impressive 6–2 victory at Floyd Bennett Field’s Aviator Sports and Events Center.
The win cements the A’s lead over Danbury in Federal Hockey League standings and makes last week’s loss against the Connecticut blowholes — the one that snapped Brooklyn’s hard-fought five-game winning streak — seem like ancient history.
Brooklyn drew first blood in the opening period when center Mat Astoff found the Whalers’ net with six minutes remaining in the session, earning his 15th goal of the season.
Center Jesse Felten quickly followed suit, scoring six minutes into the next frame with a spectacular shorthanded goal — kicking off a hat trick that continued into the third period. Danbury managed to earn one point in the middle round, slipping in a last minute goal after Aviator James Sanford was penalized for hooking.
Brooklyn took a hammer to the Whale’s head in the final round: Aviator right winger Andrew Scampoli earned his first point of the frame five minutes in. Five minutes later, Felten completed his hat trick as the amped-up crowd at the Aviator Sports and Events Center went wild.
Danbury managed to earn one last point, but it was immediately matched by Aviator left winger Steve Koich, who capped off the game with two minutes remaining in the final frame.
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. 10 at 7:30 pm for a rematch with the Danbury Whalers. Tickets are $12 ($10 for seniors and children under 14) For
more info, visit www.BrooklynAviators.com.
