Aces Edged by Steelheads 3-2
Published on February 8, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
A pair of Nick Mazzolini power play goals were not enough for the Alaska Aces on Wednesday night, as they fell 3-2 to the Idaho Steelheads from the CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The Aces dropped to 32-12-6, on the season, and 2-6-1 so far on the road trip. The Aces stay in Boise to complete their 11-game road trip with a pair of games against the Steelheads on Friday and Saturday. They return to the Sullivan Arena on February 17. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The teams sped through the opening period, playing the entire frame in just 26 minutes. The Steelheads outshot the Aces 8-6 in the period. Late in the frame Alaska's Benn Olson and Idaho's Marc Rechlicz fought at 13:58.
The Steelheads broke the scoreless tie in the second period on a major power play. Aces defneseman, Benn Olson was given a five-minute major penalty for kneeing, and on the ensuing power play Idaho scored after an Aces giveaway behind their net. A missed handoff between goaltender Adam Courchaine and defenseman Steve Ward gave the puck to Idaho's Jacob Cepis on a wrap around. Courchaine made a sprawling head first save to deny Cepis, but Patrick Kennedy followed for a rebound goal at 4:41. The Aces evened the score on a power play of their own when Nick Mazzolini scored ona backhand form the left side of the net at 11:28 to snap an 0 for 22 stretch on the PP by Alaska. The Steelheads reclaimed the lead at 16:21 where Derek LeBlanc scored following a scramble in front of the Aces net. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 13-11 in the second period, but trailed 2-1 heading into the third.
Early in the third period, the Steelheads went up by a pair when Aaron Lewicki scored in his Idaho debut from the right circle at 2:48. The Aces had the better of the chances for the rest of the period, and eventually got back within one. Mazzolini scored into the top right corner of the net at 17:51 on an Alaska power play to cut Idaho's lead to 3-2. The Aces had a great chance to tie the game in the final minute when Dan Kissel set up Wes Goldie at the top of the crease with 40 seconds left, but Jerry Kuhn made the save and preserve Idaho's win.
Adam Courchaine (15-8-4) took the loss, making 21 saves on 24 shots. Jerry Kuhn (16-15-5) earned the win, stopping 28 of 30 shots against. The Aces power play went 2-3, while the Steelheads went 1-3. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 30-24 in the game.
The Aces stay in Boise to complete their 11-game road trip with a pair of games against the Steelheads on Friday and Saturday. They return to the Sullivan Arena on February 17. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
ECHL Stories from February 8, 2012
- Balanced Steelheads Down Aces, 3-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Aces Edged by Steelheads 3-2 - Alaska Aces
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