Aces Advance After Sweeping San Diego

Published on April 12, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Pick your cliché: A) The regular season is meaningless once the playoffs start; B) Throw the records out the window; C) A hot goaltender can steal a series. Any of those could be applied to the Alaska/San Diego Series, where the Aces have advanced past the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs after sweeping the top-ranked Gulls in three games.

Western Conference

Alaska vs. San Diego

Alaska wins series 3-0

Joe Talbot scored twice with help from Charles Lignet in the first game of the series to propel the Aces to a 4-2 win in San Diego. All four Aces goals came in the opening frame as they forged a 4-0 lead, setting the tone for the series. San Diego came right back with 22 second period shots while allowing only one. But Dan Murphy stood tall for the Aces, making 21 saves in the period and 37 on the night for the win and a 1-0 series lead.

Game Two turned out to be the closest game of the series, with San Diego grabbing a two goal lead before Alaska replied with three straight for a 3-2 edge at 14:23 of the third period. Mark Pederson responded quickly for the Gulls, however, with his game tying goal just 32 seconds afterwards sending the game to overtime. It was there that Charles Linglet's second goal of the game proved to be the winner at 16:15 of the first OT, giving the Aces a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead heading back to Alaska.

Alaska jumped all over the Gulls as they had in Game One, scoring three times in the third period and holding San Diego off the board until the third en route to a 5-1 win. Despite only 14 shots on goal, the Aces made the most of their scoring opportunities. Both Joe Talbot and Mark Smith had two goals each in the contest, while Garrett Prosofsky, Charles Linglet, and Chris Lipsett each had a pair of assists. Dan Murphy made 26 saves for the win, giving him a 1.83 GAA and .946 save percentage in the playoffs thus far. Linglet's five assists and seven points led the team, while Talbot's four goals in the series signaled a team high.

Las Vegas vs. Idaho

Las Vegas Leads Series 2-1

After a scoreless first period in Game One, Greg Day contributed a goal and an assist to put the Wranglers up 2-1 after 40 minutes. Tom Nelson's game winner came at 4:08 of the third period, followed by Scott Burt pulling the Steelheads within a goal before Cam Bristow provided the insurance marker at 18:20 for a 4-2 win and a 1-0 series lead for Las Vegas.

In Game Two, Ryan Christie scored twice while Tom Nelson added two assists, including one on Chris Kenady's game winning power play goal at 10:03 of the third period in the Wrangler's 3-2 win. Marc Magliarditi's 29 save performance earned his club the win, while Dylan Gyori and Ben Keup scored for Idaho.

Facing elimination in Game Three of the series, Idaho responded with their best defensive effort thus far, blanking the Wranglers on Dan Ellis' 21 saves and a pair of first period goals by Zenon Konopka and Darrell Hay to ice the win. Ellis replaced Blair Allison in net for the Steelheads in Game Three after Allison posted a 3.50 GAA and 0-2 record to start the post-season. Game Four in the series will be on Tuesday in Idaho.

Gwinnett vs. Mississippi

Gwinnett Leads Series 2-1

Not ones to put drama on the back burner, a three period goaltending duel between the Sea Wolves' Greg Gardner and the Gladiators' Michael Garnett produced a 1-1 tie through regulation in Game One. Chris Durno finally broke through at 16:12 of the first overtime when he beat Gardner for the game winner with help from Joe Bourne and Kris Goodjohn to give Gwinnett a big leg up early in the series on the road. Garnett finished with 37 saves and Gardiner with 38 on the night as the Gladiators grabbed a 1-0 series lead.

Game Two featured five goals scored on the power play between the two clubs, and Mississippi scored the first and last goals in a 4-3 victory to even the series. Gwinnett tied the game three times but never held the lead in the contest. Sergei Kuznetsov's second goal of the night provided the game winner for the Sea Wolves, while Greg Gardner made 29 saves for the win.

The third installment of the series swung back to Gwinnett where the Gladiators grabbed the series in a 2-1 hold. Kris Goodjohn scored a pair of goals and the Gladiators notched the game's final three markers in a 6-3 win. Michael Garnett's 38 saves led the club defensively, giving his team a shot to close out the series in Game Four on Monday night in Gwinnett.

Louisiana vs. Pensacola

Louisiana Leads Series 2-1

Konstantin Kalmikov led the way with two goals and three assists as Louisiana tore through Pensacola 8-4 in Game One. Five IceGators had multiple point nights, including Jamie Johnson's two goals and two assists. Pensacola lifted starter Brian Eklund after the second period, sparing him the final 20 minutes after he faced 40 shots and gave up six goals to open the series. Derek Gustafson made 28 saves for the win. Aaron Phillips and Peter Fregoe each had a goal and an assist for the Ice Pilots in the loss.

Game Two did not treat the Ice Pilots any better as they bowed 6-0, failing to score despite 43 shots on Gustafson. Eklund suffered the loss with 29 saves on 35 shots, and six different IceGators scored in the contest to give Louisiana a 2-0 series lead.

With the scene shifting back to Pensacola, the Ice Pilots finally woke up, grabbing Game Three in overtime by a 2-1 score. A scoreless first period gave way to Jade Galbraith's marker in the second to make it 1-0 Pensacola, but Dennis Shiryaev's equalizer in the third period sent the game to the first overtime of the series. Just 1:34 into the extra session, Tyler Beechey scored to stave off elimination for the Ice Pilots with a 2-1 win. Game Four will be in Pensacola on Tuesday night.

Eastern Conference Highlights

Columbia vs. South Carolina

South Carolina Leads Series 2-1

A series that has featured 199 PIMs thus far, the teams split the opening of the series in Columbia before South Carolina pulled out a 3-2 overtime victory in Game Three for a 2-1 series lead with Game Four in South Carolina on Tuesday night.

Florida vs. Roanoke

Florida Leads Series 2-1

Florida won the first two games on the road in this series, surprising the Express with 4-3 and 6-3 wins to open things up. Heading back to Florida, Roanoke went to Jason Wolfe in net and he responded with a 43 save performance to squeeze out a 5-3 win for the Express. Veteran Tom Buckley leads the ECHL post-season scoring race with five goals and eight points, including the Game One game winner. Game Four of the series is in Florida on Monday night.

Peoria vs. Atlantic City

Series Tied 1-1

The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies begin the defense of their 2003 Kelly Cup Championship against the Rivermen. Atlantic City takes a close first game 3-2 before Peoria drops six goals on the Bullies in Game Two in a 6-3 win to even the series. Trevor Baker and Garett Cameron each scored twice in the win for the Rivermen. Game Three shifts back to Peoria on Monday night.

Reading vs. Wheeling

Reading Leads Series 2-1

After getting past Johnstown in a play-in game last Monday, Reading holds a surprising 2-1 series lead over the Wheeling Nailers. Wheeling, who put up 106 points during the regular season, won Game One at home 3-1 paced by J-F Dufour's goal and assist. But in Game Two, Reading pulled off a tough 3-2 road win, with Matt Snesrud's game winner coming at 12:18 of the second period. Wheeling scored once in the third period to make the game close but could not tie the game, and Reading evened the series at 1-1. Back in Pennsylvania for Game Three, Reading scored three times to open the second period, erasing a 1-0 deficit and holding on for a 4-3 win over the Nailers. Leading the series 2-1, the Royals have a chance to close things out at home in Game Four on Tuesday night.

Season Ticket Renewals

The Lynx office is in full swing with season ticket renewals for the 2004-05 Season! Call (706) 724-4423 to lock in your seat for next season, and reserve last year's low price by paying in full before June 1! Call for more information or to renew today.

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ECHL Stories from April 12, 2004


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