Aviators soar past Johnstown for first-ever home win

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The Elmira Aviators earned their first home victory in franchise history.

After 3 tough games at the LECOM Events Center, the Elmira Aviators notched a win at home. In a special Sunday matinee game, the Aviators fought through an early tie with the Johnstown Tomahawks, avenging Saturday night’s loss with a 7-3 win.

At the end of the 1st period, Elmira held a 2-1 lead off of the sticks of Andrew Piccirillo and Sean Williams. The Tomahawks tied the game just over 4 minutes into the 2nd period, with a goal from Adam Ondris. Once again finding themselves in a tie game, the Aviators returned the favor, delivering a major response.

Andrew DellaDonna pushed the Aviators out to a 3-2 lead with a highlight reel goal at the 9:22 mark of the 2nd. Johnstown ramped up the pressure in the following minutes, earning a power play, which was thwarted by a short-handed score from Jett Otwell, the first in Aviators’ team history.

The Aviators continued to pull away in the final frame, countering Dylan Shane’s 2nd Tomahawks goal with 3 more of their own. DellaDonna and Otwell each added their 2nd goals of the game, in the period. Adam Prokop turned in an impressive performance in net for Elmira, stopping 33 of 36 shots faced.

With their first home win in the books, Elmira will return to the LECOM Events Center on Friday night for another 2-game series. The Aviators will host the New Jersey Titans for a pair of 7 p.m. starts, on Friday and Saturday. The series is a critical one, as the Titans sit, just one spot and one point behind Elmira in the NAHL East Division.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.