Aces Beat Thunder 5-2 in Game One of Conference Semifinals
Published on April 20, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Zach Harrison had a goal and two assists on Friday night and the Alaska Aces dominated in both shots on goal and scoring chances in a 5-2 Game 1 win over the Stockton Thunder from Sullivan Arena. The Aces took a 1-0 series lead and will continue the best-of-seven, Western Conference Semifinals series with Game 2 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night at 7:15pm AKT. Tickets are available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces started the game by producing the first six shots on goal, and immediately setting the tempo for the night. Zach Harrison continued his solid play as of late by scoring the first goal of the series at 10:07. On an odd-man rush Harrison took a cross-ice pass from Corey Syvret and beat Olivier Roy with a gorgeous wrist shot into the top right corner of the net. Harrison then assisted on an Alex Imbeault tap in goal from just outside the crease at 12:01. Imbeault's goal made it 2-0 Alaska at first intermission as they outshot Stockton 11-5 in the frame.
The Thunder got on the board quickly in the second period when Gabriel Levesque was left untouched at the top of the crease and took a pass from the corner, then deked around Gerald Coleman 55 seconds into the frame. The Aces reclaimed their two-goal lead on a highlight-reel goal from Alex Hudson who jumped around new Thunder defenseman Scott Warner and powered a shot off the glove of Roy that fell into the net behind him at 14:03. The Aces took the 3-1 lead into the intermission break after outshooting Stockton 18-6 in the period.
The Aces pulled away for good in the third period. B.J. Crum scored his second goal of the postseason - and third career playoff goal against Stockton - at 6:44 to make it 4-1 Alaska. Evan Trupp then scored his first career playoff goal on his own rebound at 11:34 to give the Aces their largest lead of the night at 5-1. Shawn Weller got on the board for Stockton with his team-leading fifth goal of the postseason at 13:34 to end the scoring, but Alaska held on to their comfortable lead for the win. Before the final whistle, the clubs showcased their bad blood, combining for 32 penalty minutes in the closing minute of the game.
Gerald Coleman (3-1) earned the win, making 23 saves on 25 shots. Olivier Roy (4-4) made 34 saves on 39 shots and took the loss. The Aces went 0-3 on the power play, while the Thunder went 0-2. The Aces outshot the Thunder 39-25 in the game.
The Aces and Thunder continue their best-of-seven with Game 2 at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night at 7:15pm AKT. Tickets are available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
ECHL Stories from April 20, 2013
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- Game 2 Preview: Stockton Thunder at Alaska Aces - Stockton Thunder
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- Playoff Game Preview - Ontario Reign vs. Idaho Steelheads - Ontario Reign
- ECHL Announces Fines - ECHL
- Former Cyclone Kevin Henderson Makes NHL Debut with Nashville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - April 20 - ECHL
- Aces Beat Thunder 5-2 in Game One of Conference Semifinals - Alaska Aces
- Harrison's three point game opens up the Conference Semifinals - Stockton Thunder
- Reign Fall Short with 3-2 Overtime Loss - Ontario Reign
- Idaho Guts out Another OT Win - Idaho Steelheads
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