Written by Rory McGouran
Photo: Patrick Garriepy Photography

Sometimes you have to take what you are given, and in a somewhat sloppy performance with multiple blown leads, a single point will have to suffice. A five-game win streak was snapped; however, a point streak remains following the Generals’ 5–4 overtime loss to the Elmira Aviators on Friday night.

The Generals’ start to the game was exactly what you would hope to see from a red-hot road team facing the East Division’s last-place club. The Gens opened the scoring with back-to-back goals in the first ten minutes, only the third time in ten games they had scored the game’s opener. Alec Hall found his fifth goal of the season, and following a lengthy video review, Luke Drury was credited with his second of the year to make it 2–0.

That was the Generals’ first blown lead.

The LeCom Arena in Elmira is without a doubt regarded as one of the more professionally operated venues in the NAHL, and rightfully so. However, it can often feel overwhelming for a road team with its sheer size, sound-absorbing acoustics, warmer temperatures, and softer ice. The Gens may have fallen victim to that, as much of their play seemed forced.

Elmira responded over the next 30 minutes, tying the game before the end of the second period with goals from Max McGuire and Cael Primanti.

The third period was certainly exciting for the 850 fans in attendance at the Aviators’ long-awaited home opener. For the coaches, though, not as much.

Two more blown leads, thanks to four alternating goals, resulted in a 4–4 tie that required overtime, the second such game of the season for the Generals. Cole McKenna (2) and Spencer Hirsch (4) were the goal scorers for the Gens in the third period; McKenna’s on the power play and Hirsch’s shorthanded. Elmira countered with goals from Jack Kohlmann (6) and Matt Maglio (3).

The Gens led 2–0, 3–2, and 4–3, but in the end, it was Yianni Koukoves’ overtime winner that sealed a 5–4 victory for the Aviators.

Generals goaltender Will Mizenko suffered his second loss of the season, ending his four-game winning streak. He now sits at 4-1-1-0. Meanwhile, Vladimir Pechenin improved his record to 4-3-0-0 for the Aviators, stopping 36 of 40 shots.

The two teams will square off once more in a rematch tonight before the Generals finally return to the Canton Ice House for their first home game in nearly a month on October 17.