Aces drop preseason opener despite late rally at Sullivan Arena
October 9, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Mike Embach and David MacDonald each collected a goal and an assist while goaltender Scott Darling made 24 saves, enough to help the Cincinnati Cyclones hold off the Alaska Aces, 4-2 in the preseason opener Tuesday at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces nearly roared back from a 3-0 deficit late in the third period and secured back-to-back goals from Jordan Kremyr and Peter Sivak in a 1:22 span before Mathieu Aubin sealed the game with an empty netter in the final minute.
After Darling turned away a game opening bid by Sivak in the slot, the Cyclones got on the board, 1-0 on a power play goal with MacDonald's one timer from the left circle at 13:11.
Vinny Saponari then drew the Aces defense toward the slot and buried a wrister off the rush with 6:28 left in the second period to boost the Cyclones lead to 2-0.
Embach then finished a give-and-go from Trevor Lewis in the slow for a 3-0 lead with 3:32 left in the middle period.
The Aces drew to within a pair of goals when Kremyr crashed the net and slipped the puck through Darling's five hole with 6:48 left and Sivak followed up with a tap-in at the right post, set up by Kane Lafranchise at the left circle to cut the deficit to one goal.
Alaska cranked the pressure with goaltender Laurent Brossoit pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute and Darling had to be sharp on a bid by Lafranchise at the left circle to keep the Cyclones' lead intact.
Aubin's goal finished the game with a lob from the left circle with 10 seconds left.
Darling earned the win with 27 saves. Brossoit made 22 saves while taking the loss.
The two teams face a 7:15 p.m. (GCI Channel 1/750 AM KFQD) rematch tomorrow at Sullivan Arena in the preseason "Aces Paint the Rink Pink" finale.
The Aces will begin their 2013-14 season at home on Friday, Oct. 18 at Sullivan Arena when they host the San Francisco Bulls. 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 .
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