Aces Stunned in 5-3 Loss to Thunder in Game Two
Published on April 21, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
A Bobby Hughes hat trick was not enough for the Alaska Aces on Saturday night, as they were stunned by the Stockton Thunder, who scored four third-period goals to complete a 5-3 comeback win and even the best-of-seven, Western Conference Semifinals series at 1-1. The Aces lost a game in regulation for the first time in three years when leading at second intermission. The series now shifts to Stockton for three games, beginning Thursday night at 6:00pm AKT. The games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD or seen live on GCI Channel 1. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
Hughes tallied twice in the opening period to lead the Aces to a 2-0 lead at first intermission. He opened the scoring on a power play at 14:31 on a broken play when a dump-in caromed off the leg of Stockton defenseman Daniel Gibb and right to Hughes at the bottom of the slot. He beat Olivier Roy with a shot into the top left corner to make it 1-0 Alaska. Hughes then tallied shorthanded from the right circle at 18:34 to give Alaska to a 2-0 advantage at first intermission. The Thunder outshot the Aces 9-8 in the period.
The Thunder got on the board in the second period off a fortunate bounce of their own. An outlet pass from Aces defenseman Corey Syvret bounced off the skates of Zach Harrison, and went right to Harrison Reed, who beat Gerald Coleman with a slap shot from the high slot at 4:58. The goal was the only one in the period and Alaska took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. Stockton outshot Alaska 6-5 in the frame.
The Thunder completed their comeback with four third period goals. Garet Hunt tied the score at 2-2 on a redirection at 2:00 of the third period. The Aces reclaimed the lead at 3-2 when Hughes completed his hat trick at 7:51 on a wrist shot from the inside of the right circle. Stockton ties the score when Ryan Hayes tallied from the bottom of the left circle at 12:15, and then took their first lead of the series at 15:15 when Matt Bergland scored from the right edge of the net, slamming home a rebound off the end boards to make it 4-3 Thunder. Reed scored his second of the night on an empty net goal from behind the Stockton goal line in the closing seconds to complete Stockton's fourth come-from-behind win of this posteseason. Before the loss, Alaska was a combined 116-0-7 when leading at second intermission, dating back to the start of the 2010-2011 season.
Gerald Coleman (3-2) took the loss, making 19 saves on 23 shots. Olivier Roy (5-4) made 24 saves on 27 shots and earned the win. The Aces went 0-5 on the power play, while the Thunder went 0-6. The Aces outshot the Thunder 27-24 in the game.
The series now shifts to Stockton for three games, beginning Thursday night at 6:00pm AKT. The games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD or seen live on GCI Channel 1. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
ECHL Stories from April 21, 2013
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- ECHL Transactions - April 21 - ECHL
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Gwinnett - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - April 21 - ECHL
- Aces Stunned in 5-3 Loss to Thunder in Game Two - Alaska Aces
- Thunder stages another remarkable playoff rally for 1-1 series tie - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder stages another remarkable playoff rally for 1-1 series tie - Stockton Thunder
- Reign Stun Steelheads with 5-0 Shutout Win - Ontario Reign
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