The Brooklyn Aviators unleashed a heaping dose of payback against the hated Akwesasne Warriors on Oct. 27 as they outshot, outskated and outscored last year’s Commissioner’s Cup winners in a grueling 3-2 victory in the first game of the Federal Hockey League’s 2011-2012 season.
Brooklyn’s winter wonders had a lot to prove: the hated Warriors snatched the Commissioner’s Cup from the Aviators during last season’s playoffs, even though the scrappy squad from Floyd Bennett Field’s Aviator Sports Complex had the best record in the League’s inaugural season — a feat that included an unprecedented 21-game winning streak.
But Thursday’s victory over the Warriors at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee didn’t come easy: the mostly new squad failed to gel at first, giving Akwesasne a one point lead at the close of the first period.
Former National Hockey League player Pierre Dagenais scored for the Warriors seven minutes into the second period, making it put up or shut up time for the Aviators, who cut the lead in half less than four minutes later when new team right-winger Chris Ferrazoli slapped a blocked shot — one that literally landed on his stick — into Akwesasne’s net.
The Aviators were born again in the third period, making 14 shots at Akwesasne’s net — two of which the overwhelmed Warrior goaltender couldn’t answer after suffering through ten minutes of the Aviators’ unrelenting advance.
Victory was ultimately secured two minutes before the final buzzer when Aviator rookie forward Jordan Bernier snapped in an offering from seasoned center Andrew Scampoli in a power play.
The come-from-behind rout was cheered on by over a dozen Aviators fans at Floyd Bennet Field as the game was streamed live at the Aviator Sports Complex’s sky bar, where hockey sticks and other Aviators gear were raffled off at the close of each period.
The Brooklyn Aviators home opener against the New Jersey Outlaws at Aviator Sports [3159 Flatbush Ave. in Floyd Bennett Field in Marine Park, (718) 758-7580] on Oct. 29 at 7:05 pm. Tickets $12 ($10 for seniors and children under 14). For information visit www.brooklynaviators.com.
Reach reporter Thomas Tracy at ttracy@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2525.
