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Defensemen finish all three Aces goals for 2-0 series lead

April 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL) - Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - John Ramage's first career multi-goal game and Olivier Roy's 18 saves boosted the Alaska Aces in a 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals before 4,239 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.

The Aces, who seized a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series (first accomplished since the 2011 Kelly Cup Finals), scored three unanswered goals while earning their 42nd win on home ice, lifetime in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Nick Mazzolini earned his second three point game (all on assists).

WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINAL (Alaska leads, 2-0)

GAME 1 - Alaska 5 - Las Vegas 1

GAME 2 - Alaska 3 - Las Vegas 1

GAME 3 - AT LAS VEGAS: Wednesday, Apr. 23 (Orleans Arena) - 6:05 p.m.

GAME 4 - AT LAS VEGAS: Friday, Apr. 25 (Orleans Arena) - 6:05 p.m.

GAME 5 - AT LAS VEGAS: Saturday, Apr. 26 (Orleans Arena) - 6:05 p.m. *

GAME 6 - AT ALASKA: Monday, Apr. 28 (Sullivan Arena) - 7:15 p.m. *

GAME 7 - AT ALASKA: Tuesday, Apr. 29 (Sullivan Arena) - 7:15 p.m. *

* If necessary

The Aces earned several key chances in the first few minutes but Shawn Skelly broke the scoreless tie with his first goal of the postseason, sneaking a wrist shot past Roy from the right circle with 5:47 left in the first period.

Las Vegas then took back to back penalties which proved to be costly, opening the door for the Aces power play that finished 7th overall this season. With Charlie Cook in the penalty box for holding, Brendan Connolly and Nick Mazzolini combined on a feed to Drew MacKenzie at the left circle, who redirected his second goal of the playoffs past Travis Fullerton for a 1-1 tie with 2:08 left.

Zach McKelvie then drew a slashing penalty on Adam Huxley, driving the Las Vegas and Ramage followed by belting a one-timer past Fullerton from the center point position for a 2-1 lead at 19:36.

Control and discipline took over in the second and the Aces managed to outshoot Las Vegas, 10-6 but struggled to find an insurance goal on Fullerton. Late in the game, he was pulled for an extra attacker and Roy had to flare the right pad on Michael Neal, positioned on the doorstep to preserve the lead.

The Aces cleared the puck with less than 20 seconds left and Mazzolini found Ramage open at the right circle for an empty net goal with 1.8 seconds left.

Fullerton made 34 saves and took the loss.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Brad Richard, Tommy Mele and Ross Ring-Jarvi for the second straight night... the Aces improved to 20-7, lifetime in Game 2 scenarios (3-2 vs. Las Vegas) ... Mazzolini has six points in his first two playoff games this season ... Roy improved to 17-13, lifetime in the playoffs ... the Aces power play 2-of-4 in the game.

The series now shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Wednesday, Apr. 23 at 6:05 p.m. (KFQD). Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

Three Stars:

1. AK - J. Ramage

2. AK - O. Roy

3. LV - T. Fullerton

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