BROOKLYN, N.Y.  --The Brooklyn Aces tested New Jersey Rockhoppers’ netminder Nick Niedert in their home opener, firing 62 shots at net.  However, the Aces only manage to score two goals against Niedert, who thwarted 60 shots in New Jersey’s 3-2 win at Aviator Sports Arena.

Although the Aces controlled the puck for most of the first period, it was New Jersey who scored first, when forward Chris Ferazzoli lit the lamp on a power play goal 15.20 into the game. Forward Russell Spence assisted on the tally.

Forward Derek Porter gave the Rockhoppers a 2-0 advantage after he slapped in a rebound by Aces’ goalie Eddie Neville at the 7:59 mark of the second stanza.

The Aces did have their opportunity to bust through, but failed to cash in on a 54-second 5-on-3 power play later in the period.

Fortunately for Brooklyn, who was plagued by an insufficient powerplay (2-13) all night long, defenseman Nick Grove got his team back into the contest, scoring on the man the advantage only 49 seconds into the third period to cut the deficit in half. However, just 36 seconds later, New Jersey grabbed back their two-goal lead on a tally by blue liner Dustin Henning.

Refusing to let another 5-on-3 advantage slip away, James Brannigan answered the call for the Aces, stuffing in a rebound to close the gap at 3-2 with 5:24 left on the clock. Defenseman Doug Hoffman was credited with the assist.

The Aces pulled Neville, who saved 30 of 33 attempts, in the closing moments of the contest, but failed to find the back of the net as time ran out on the clock, handing them their first loss of the young season.

Aces head coach Chris Firriolo believes his ice troops played down to competition and lacked the concentration needed to win. But he feels it’s something his squad can learn from.

“We took them (Rockhoppers) for granted. I think our guys took this team lightly,” Firriolo said after the game. “But I think this is a lesson learned.  I think we have to focus shift after shirt (in order to win).  I think we were looking ahead of this game, and that was the problem.”

Contact the author at jerry.delprioe@prohockeynews.com.