Aces blitz Idaho for three unanswered goals, fifth win in seven home games
January 4, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Evan Trupp and Mathew Sisca each collected a goal and an assists and the Alaska Aces (19-9-1, 39 points) never trailed in a 4-3 victory over the Idaho Steelheads before 4,250 fans at Sullivan Arena on Friday.
The Aces, who improved to 5-2 on a season long eight game homestand, stayed two points back of Colorado for first place in the Mountain Division and earned their first win at home over Idaho since the 2011-12 season. Olivier Roy improved to 9-6 this season with 23 saves, but the Aces were forced to fend off Idaho's furious three goal rally in the final period.
Trupp's ninth goal of the season, coming on the power play, put the Aces ahead 1-0 at 16:27 of the first period when he buried Sisca's re-direction at the left post, originating with a rocket, cross-ice pass by Tim Coffman that seared through the Idaho penalty killing scheme.
Sisca extended the lead to 2-0 with 1:05 left after a key Aces penalty kill. Evan Trupp produced a turnover in the Idaho zone and set up Sisca from the right circle, who slammed the centering feed past Pat Nagle's blocker.
The Aces appeared to be in cruising mode when Nick Mazzolini deflected Brad Richard's point shot through Pat Nagle's five-hole at 1:31 for a 3-0 lead. But Idaho began its rally on the next shift when Mitch Wahl buried a rebound at 2:14 to break Roy's shutout bid.
Tommy Grant then snuck a redirection past Roy, at the front of the net from Brett Robinson at 12:26 for his 10th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 3-2, shifting the game's tempo. Robinson then earned a wide open chance between the circles with 6:45 left which Roy turned away with his right pad.
Jordan Kremyr out-battled Idaho's attack for a loose puck and buried an empty net goal from center ice with 42 seconds left, putting the game out of reach with a 4-2 lead.
Grant closed the scoring with his second goal of the game on a one-timer in the slot with 12.7 seconds left.
Nagle took the loss on 30 saves.
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