Elmira Aviators ready for home opener

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – Hockey makes its return to Elmira Friday night.

The newly formed Elmira Aviators will play their first-ever home games at the newly named LECOM Events Center. The venue was formerly named First Arena and welcomes the Aviators as they host New Hampshire in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Friday night at 7 pm. The same two teams will play again at the LECOM Events Center Saturday at the same time.

For the first month of the season, the Aviators played on the road racking up a (5-2-0) record which has them tied for first place in the East Division with Maryland. Elmira has won two games in a row while the New Hampshire Mountain Kings are (1-6-0) and have lost their last six straight contests.

18 Sports had the opportunity to speak with members of the team and head coach Cody Murphy Thursday afternoon. For the team, this weekend is one they’ve been waiting for since the junior hockey league franchise was formed back in May for a 60-game season.

“I think everyone’s really excited,” Aviators defenseman Ben Constantino said. Constantino leads the team in overall points with seven and has two game-winning goals already this season. “Everyone’s really been waiting for this this time to be home. I think even the boys are going to be pretty hyped in front of our fans and get going.”

Teammates and forwards Bryce Terry and Clarence Beltz are equally as thrilled to take the ice for a league that’s generated several NHL players and future NCAA D-I talent.

“We are so excited to have actually lived this moment,” Terry said. “We’ve been dreaming about it for a while, and I’ve been telling my teammates, I usually close my eyes for the national anthem, but I’ll probably keep them open for this national anthem,” added Terry.

“It’s going to be nice to kind of get going here at home after being on the road for the first seven games,” added Belts, who’s tied for the team lead with four goals this season. “And, obviously the showcase was great for us, and good exposure, especially playing some teams outside of our division.”

Head coach Cody Murphy, who also spent time as a coach for the Elmira Junior Enforcers in 2020-21, says this weekend is all about Elmira and the brand new talent who are ready to showcase their skills.

“Focusing on the players, that’s what this experience really is about,” Murphy said. “(It’s) making sure these guys are taken care of and giving them the greatest experience possible which this arena, and our staff in this community has done which we’re super proud of.”

18 Sports will have full highlights Friday night on the Sports Blitz at 11. For ticket information, visit https://lecomeventcenter.com/

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