Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our AIAHL players, family and friends!!!

Buffaloes Score 7-Lose to Hitmen. Shamrocks beat Aftermath

Buffaloes Captain Bill Ball commented "Hey we scored 7 goals tonight!" Unfortunately for his squad they still lost the game to the Hitmen by a 15-7 score. The game, which had no penalties, was enjoyed by both squads even tho the score got away from the Buffaloes. The Buffaloes were forced to use a backup netminder as goalie Pete Giordano was serving his second game of a 2 game suspension as a result of some late game hijinx during an earlier contest with the Team Red Devil.

A wild moment occurred in the first period when Hitmen player Scott Lundeen smashed into the stantion separating the players bench and the penalty box. Showing the true grit of his Michigan roots, Scott return to ice after getting some repairs in the locker room and scored a goal in the second period.

The second game of the evening saw the Aftermath come out with a quick skating attack that forced the Shamrocks to be on their heels early in the first period. The Shamrocks were able to weather the storm with some fine goaltending from Scott Paster. An end to end run by Shamrock defensman Giles started the scoring for the Shamrocks and Bill Quick ended it with a penalty shot talley to make the final score 7-1.

SEASON STANDINGS AS OF 11/15

1) TEAM RED DEVIL 8-2 16pts

2) HITMEN 7-2 14pts

3) SHAMROCKS 6-2 12pts

4) AFTERMATH 2-7 4pts

5) BUFFALOES 0-10 0pts

Hitmen and Shamrocks Crowned Champions

The New Aspen Ice Adult Hockey League was proud to crown two new champions last week. The Shamrocks took the inaugural FEDERAL (C) league championship by defeating the Predators in three games. The Hitmen were able to claim the IRON (B) league championship in stunning fashion, beating the Ice Holez in double overtime of the decidng game three contest.

The playoffs proved to be exciting throughout with numerous overtime games and sprited play. The Buffaloes were able to overtake the Buzzards in the Federal league consolation game getting their first true win of the season. Congratulations to the Buffaloes who have already said they are anxious to notch more victories in the Spring 2011 season.

The Iron League playoffs proved anything can happen in the post season as the first place Ice Devils were defeated by the rival Ice Holez in the opening round, ending their chances at the championship. And the Black Bears who impressed everyone in the end of the regular season by moving up the standings all the way to second place in the Iron League, also fell in their opening round contest against the eventual champion, Hitmen.

The rink at Aspen will soon proudly display the league champions on a new AIAHL League banner. The Hitmen and the Shamrocks will have the honor of being the first teams named on the banner. But the Spring season will also have its own champions and we are looking forward to a competive season that is set to start the week of May 2. Stay tuned to the blog for scheduling and league news and updates.

Black Bears Nip Buzzards 5-4

The Buzzards gave the Black Bears a run but fell 5-4 on Sunday missing out on a chance for the second victory of the season. With the score tied at 3 late in the third the Black Bears mustered up 2 goals 45 seconds apart in the final 1:49 of the game. A late Buzzard goal with six seconds remaining was little consolation to a Buzzard club that is fighting hard but falling short in recent Federal League contests.

Hitmen Top Ice Holez-BlackBears Bite Preds

A battle at the top of the IRON league saw the Hitmen knock out the IceHolez 6-5 in a fiercely close contest that was also a penalty free affair (which is always nice.) The teams battled it out exchanging goals throughout marked by an IceHolez three goals in 41 seconds to close out the second period and bring the game even at 5. But Hitmen netminder Rob Ibriaco closed the door despite dealing with flu like symptoms and Scott Palfreyman netted the gamewinner and third goal of the evening with 2:32 remaining.

So the Hitmen jump ahead of the Iceholez in the standings-tied for first with the IceDevils who were idle on Tuesday.

The Black Bears played the Preds in the 2nd game of the evening-their first of three meetings for the remaining schedule. The Predators scored late in the first to tie the game at one but promptly let the Black Bears score with 32 seconds remaining in the period. A goal in each of the remaining periods vaulted the Black Bears to a 4-1 victory in a matchup of Iron and Federal League teams.

Shamrocks trip up Ice Holez, Hitmen defeat Black Bears

Sunday at the AIAHL provided fans two close Iron v Federal league games including one upset. The Federal League's Shamrocks provided the surprise of the evening ,defeating the Iron League leaders, the Ice Holez, by a 4-2 score. The Shamrocks brought their A-game and full lineup in an attempt to give the Ice Holez fits. The balanced attack worked as the Shamrocks claimed the victory with goals coming from Patrick Sinclair, Mike Lombardi, Roger Gregor and Dominick Yannetta.

The late game featured two goals by Mark Simone of the Hitmen in his team's 3-1 win over the pesky Black Bears. The game had 5 penalties divided 3-2 between the two squads but the officials still took their share of ribbing from each squad for playing favorites to the opposing team. Its funny how perspective is in the eyes of the beholder. Which is good for the officials because according to the players-they had their eyes shut most of the evening!! All in good fun!

Ice Devils 6 Goal Second Period Too Much for Buzzards

During their first contest back in mid December, The Buzzards gave the Ice Devils all they could handle, eventually falling by a 4-2 score.

Thursday's matchup was not as close as the Ice Devils scored 6 goals in the second period including 5 in a 3min and 17 second span erasing an early 2-1 Buzzard lead.

Nick Dunn had a hatrick for the Ice Devils while Merritt Reid provided both Buzzard goals.

Buffales Give Preds Test

Try as they may the Buffaloes can't a way to win their first game of the season. They came into the game vs the Predators on Tuesday ready for battle but eventually fell by a 4-1 score. The Buffaloes managed to leave the first period down only by a 1-0 score against a highly skilled Predator squad. But two goals in a minute and 1 second in the second gave the Preds all the cushion they needed. Chris Brunialli got the Buffaloes on the scoreboard in the third ruining Predators goalie Matt Miller's clean sheet.

The Preds faced the first place Ice Holez in their next constes while the Buffaloes face the pesky Black Bears.

Plenty of good seats still available.

Snow Out and SuperBowl Reschedule Dates

Captains:

The reschedule dates for the snow out games and the SuperBowl are as follows.

The 2/1 games will now be played on Tuesday 3/15 as follows:
3/15 @9:15 Ice Devils v Shamrocks
3/15 @10:45 Hitmen v Buffaloes

The 2/6 games will now be played on Sunday 3/13 as follows:
3/13 @9:00 Predators v Black Bears
3/13 @ 10:30 Ice Holez v Buzzards

Games On Feb 6 To Be Rescheduled

Oops! I'm thinking there might be something else you guys want to do on Sunday February 6th so I am going to reschedule those games for later in the season. (me personally-I'd rather play hockey, but that's me!)

Sorry for the confusion and have fun watching the game!

AIAHL Mourns Loss of Shamrock Star

The AIAHL was shocked to find out that one of their own, Matt Lymon of the Shamrocks, passed away on January 14th. Matt was only 30 years old.

Shamrock captain Mark Ganter stated that "Matt lived and breathed hockey with the Shamrocks. The whole team is going to his services. Matt's family has asked us to show up wearing our Shamrock jerseys in support."

Aspen Ice of Flemington and all involved with the AIAHL extend our sincere condolences to Matt's family, friends and teammates.

Buzzards Starting to Score

After scoring 8 goals in their first five games, the Buzzards are starting to pile on the scoring. The new look Buzzards have scored an amazing 20 goals in their last three contests-notching their first career win vs the Buffaloes and narrowly missing their second in a 5-4 shootout loss vs the Predators.

The scoring outburst has coincided with the introduction of their new unis. The mustard and blue colored jerseys sport the ominous new stick wielding Buzzard logo.

Tonight's Games Postponed

Tonight's games are being postponed due to the forecasted snow storm. The Buzzard v Buffaloes game will be rescheduled for Thursday Jan 13th @ 9:15pm. The Black Bears v Shamrock reschuled date is to be determined.

Tonight's 9:15 ice slot will be available to AIAHL players as an open skate but please take appropriate caution if you plan on coming to the rink.

Take care and be safe. See you thursday.

Bill Auld

Updated Standings

Standings thur January 9, 2011

Ice Holez 10pts 5-1
Ice Devils 10pts 5-1
Hitmen 10pts 5-1
Predators 8pts 4-2
Black Bears 6pts 3-3
Shamrocks 4pts 2-4
Buzzards 0pts 0-6
Buffaloes 0pts 0-6

Well Played Game Marred by Fight

The Predators and the Ice Devils were playing what was perhaps the best game this season on the AIAHL schedule. After falling behind on a goal by Predator forward Michael Boscaino one minute and 21 seconds into the game the Hitmen built a 3-2 lead late in the third.

But as the game neared its end a fight ruined what was really a great high tempo adult league game. Both players involved in the fisticuffs will face the league mandated automatic 2 game suspension as well as any supplemental discipline deemed necessary by the league.

The penalties doled out left the Ice Devils down a man in the final minutes. The Predators were able to tie the game with the goalie pulled with 58 seconds remaining. The Ice Devils prevailed for the win in the shootout as their goaltender stopped all the Predator shooters.

Happy New Year

Hello AIAHL'ers. I am just writing you a quick post to thank you for your involvement in the league so far. I think we have had some good games but even better camaraderie.

I also wanted to apologize for not updating this blog as quickly as I would have liked to. I have been dealing with a family emergency recently-my father had a heart attack but thankfully is on the road to recovery. I will look to update the blog with scores, stats, and standings fairly soon. Until then, enjoy the games as we look to a successful, happy (and healthy) 2011.

Thanks,
Bill Auld
League Director