Aces' Offense Erupts in 6-2 Win over Grizzlies
February 16, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Bobby Hughes scored twice and the Alaska Aces rode a first period flurry of goals to a breakout offensive performance in a 6-2 win over the Utah Grizzlies on Saturday night from the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. The Aces extended their lead for the most points in the ECHL to three points over the Ontario Reign, who lost to Idaho on Saturday. Alaska collected points for the ninth straight game. The Aces improved their record to a league-best 36-11-6 on the year. The Aces and Grizzlies pick up their four-game series with a Monday matinee at 11:35am AKT. Alaska returns home to host the Las Vegas Wranglers in three straight on Friday, February 22. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces found some much-needed offense early in the game. Shawn Skelly scored his sixth goal in ten games since joining Alaska to open the scoring at 2:33 of the first period to make it 1-0 Aces. Alaska quickly added to the advantage when Bobby Hughes scored on a rebound after Steve Ward's shot hit the left post. Hughes slammed home the second chance from the slot at 5:53, extending the Aces lead to 2-0. On a two-man advantage, Nick Mazzolini made it 3-0 when he scored his career-high 28th goal of the season at 8:33. Mark Guggenberger kept the three-goal lead intact for Alaska when he denied Berkley Scott on a penalty shot at 10:11. However, Utah got on the board before the intermission when Colin Vock scored his ninth goal in the last nine games at 19:42. Late in the period Alaska's Dustin Molle had a great fight with former Ace T.J. Battani that featured several haymakers and ended with both men standing. Alaska outshot Utah 12-11 in the period and took a 3-1 lead into the intermission.
Utah outshot Alaska 14-12 in a second period that stayed scoreless into the final minute. Then, at 19:04 Bobby Hughes raced after a loose puck in the Utah zone and skated around goaltender Shane Owen who came out in an effort to get there first. Hughes sent the puck into the empty net for his second of the game to give Alaska a 4-1 lead at second intermission.
Nick Tuzzolino scored for Utah to at 11:52 of the third period to get Utah within two goals, but Alaska responded 22 seconds later on a Spencer Bennett goal. Jordan Kremyr added the final goal at 19:53 to give Alaska the 6-2 win.
Mark Guggenberger (18-6-5) made 35 saves on 37 shots for the win. Shane Owen (3-6-2) made 29 saves on 35 shots in the loss. The Aces went 2-5 on the power play and the Grizzlies were 0-4. Alaska was outshot by Utah 37-35 in the game.
The Aces and Grizzlies pick up their four-game series with a Monday matinee at 11:35am AKT. Alaska returns home to host the Las Vegas Wranglers in three straight on Friday, February 22. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
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