'Aces Wild' in 9-1 Shellacking of Spirit in Game 1
By I.P. Freely, Chepstow Times
Game 1 of this much anticipated series saw the Aces go on an unexpected 9-1 route of the Spirit on their turf. Chepstow took the crowd out of it early scoring 6 unanswered goals before Glen Murray managed to pour one in late in the second period. The surprisingly unprepared Spirit squad looked weak in the opener, while the focused Chepstow team appeared to be on a mission to make a clear statement early in this series.
Going into game 1, concern over the lack of playoff experience among the Ace's young core of players was certainly a concern, but coming out in fine fashion it was clear that the kids were out to prove their detractors wrong. Leading the pack was 19-year old Dominic D'Amour who kept the score keepers busy with a head spinning 5 points.
Team veteren Pierre Turgeon commented after the game that although this was a big win, the team had to stay focused. "Sometimes after a big win you tend to come out slow the next time around. The Spirit are going to be out for blood in game 2, so we will have to be ready. Us old guys are going to make sure that the young guys on this team understand that."
Coming off a surprise season, Milan Hnilicka proved that he's no fluke, backstopping the Aces in a solid effort allowing 1 goal on 25 Spirit attempts. When asked how he was handling the unfamiliar "number 2" role, goalie Jocelyn Thibault humbly stated his support of Hnilicka, simply saying "...he deserves it. Milan had an amazing season, and although I'd like to be on the ice, I'm glad he's having so much success."
The only negative for the Aces was an injury to Wayne Primeau midway through the second. Primeau is listed as day-to-day, suffering with a severe Charley Horse. Jeff Farkas will get the nod to replace him in game 2.
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