Aces fire 47 shots before Patterson stashes game-winner
Published on May 2, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gaelan Patterson converted a rebound at the goal mouth at 6:09 to help the Idaho Steelheads sneak by the Alaska Aces, 1-0 in overtime at Sullivan Arena in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Josh Robinson stopped all 47 shots for the win and shutout. In spite of a 47-27 advantage in shots on goal, including a 32-10 mark after 40 minutes, the Aces had an eight-game winning streak in Game 1 snapped, suffering their first series opening defeat since the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals against South Carolina.
Gerald Coleman made 26 saves while the Aces penalty kill, tested three times in the first 22 minutes of the game, went 4-of-4.
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Idaho leads, 1-0)
GAME 1 - Idaho 1 at Alaska 0
GAME 2 - vs. Idaho: Friday, May 2 (Sullivan Arena) - 7:15 p.m.
GAME 3 - at Idaho: Monday, May 5 (CenturyLink Arena) - 5:10 p.m.
GAME 4 - at Idaho: Wednesday, May 7 (CenturyLink Arena) - 5:10 p.m.
GAME 5 - at Idaho: Thursday, May 8 (CenturyLink Arena) - 5:10 p.m. *
GAME 6 - vs. Idaho: Saturday, May 10 (Sullivan Arena) - 7:15 p.m. *
GAME 7 - vs. Idaho: Sunday, May 11 (Sullivan Arena) - 7:15 p.m. *
* If necessary
The Aces came out firing with a 16-8 advantage in shots for the first period, testing Robinson, who lifted Idaho to a 4-2 series win over Colorado in a 3-2 win in quadruple overtime on Monday (longest game in ECHL history). Gerald Coleman made eight stops including a breakaway save on William Rapuzzi.
After killing off three penalties, the Aces were buoyed with momentum and made their move with a 16-2 advantage in shots for the second period. Robinson turned every chance away after the Aces funneled the puck to the net on a series of screens and deflections.
Coleman and Robinson refused to blink in the third period and the Aces, after killing off 14 seconds of a 5-on-3 disadvantage, pushed the game into overtime after leading the third period in shots, 13-12.
Mazzolini had the best chance for the Aces in overtime - a chance in the slot that misfired on a wrister that zipped wide of Robinson's blocker.
After the Aces failed to clear the defensive zone, Idaho worked the puck to the high slot in efforts to set up the winner. Eamonn McDermott's bid from inside the blueline was stopped by Coleman's right pad, but Robinson stashed the rebound over Coleman's blocker to end the game on his fourth goal of the postseason.
ECHL Stories from May 2, 2014
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- ECHL Transactions - May 2 - ECHL
- Condors vs. Stockton - Round 2, Game 1 Preview - Free Oilers Shirts - Bakersfield Condors
- Thunder Open Conference Semis in Bakersfield - Stockton Thunder
- Cyclones Playoff Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Fort Wayne - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - May 2 - ECHL
- Aces fire 47 shots before Patterson stashes game-winner - Alaska Aces
- Robinson Authors 47-Save Shutout in OT Victory - Idaho Steelheads
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