Aces blanked in conference finals opener, 1-0
Published on May 8, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Holding Alaska to its fewest shots on goal in more than three years, the Idaho Steelheads gained a leg up in the National Conference Finals with a 1-0 whitewash of the Aces before 5,391 at Sullivan Arena.
Game Two will be back in Anchorage tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m., with live coverage on KFQD 750 AM beginning at 6:55 p.m. The best-of-seven series shifts to Boise for Games Three and Four Friday and Sunday, with both tilts scheduled for a 5:10 p.m. ADT face-off.
Monday's series opener proved to be a fast-paced, hard-hitting affair, with scoring chances at a premium throughout. Neither club managed more than seven shots on goal in any one period, with Idaho holding a 20-15 advantage over 60 minutes. The game turned when Alaska winger Ryan MacMurchy was whistled for a five-minute boarding major with 5:08 remaining in the second period. The Steelheads scored the game's only goal on the ensuing power play, courtesy of a B.J. Crombeen re-direction of a Lars Helminen drive from the point at 16:05. Steve Silverthorn protected that 1-0 lead for the duration, finishing with 15 saves to collect his third playoff shutout.
Derek Gustafson stopped 19 shots in the loss, the first game in which the Aces had been blanked since Nov. 16, 2006, against Las Vegas. Alaska had not been held to 15 shots on goal since a 6-1 loss in Idaho back on February 27, 2004. The Aces have won all three playoff series under head coach Davis Payne in which they have lost the opener, including the first round of this year's playoffs, when Victoria dealt Alaska its first defeat in regulation at Sullivan Arena since January 5.
Tickets for tomorrow night's game at Sullivan Arena are on sale at the Aces office between 8-5 p.m. as well as online at www.alaskaaces.com, Ticketmaster, or at participating Fred Meyer locations. All 2007 Kelly Cup playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with Friday and Sunday's games in Boise being simulcast on GCI Cable Channel 1.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE FINALS (Idaho leads series 1-0)
Game 1: Idaho 1, Alaska 0
Game 2: Idaho at Alaska Tomorrow 7:15 p.m.
Game 3: Alaska at Idaho Friday 5:10 p.m.
Game 4: Alaska at Idaho Sunday 5:10 p.m.
Game 5: Alaska at Idaho Tuesday, May 15 5:10 p.m.*
Game 6: Idaho at Alaska Saturday, May 19 7:15 p.m.*
Game 7: Idaho at Alaska Sunday, May 20 7:15 p.m.*
*if necessary
ALL TIMES ADT
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- Steelheads Blank Aces 1-0 In Game One Of Conference Finals - Idaho Steelheads
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