Aces Blow By Steelheads 5-2

February 18, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Wes Goldie's four-point night and Brian Swanson's three-point night helped add up to the Alaska Aces two-point night as the Aces beat their second straight opponent by a 5-2 final, dismantling the Idaho Steelheads on Friday night. The Aces win was their third straight overall, their fourth straight on the road, and their sixth in the last seven games. The Aces leapt one point over Utah, while keeping two games in hand, for first place in the Mountain Division. Alaska improved to 30-19-3 on the year. The Aces finish their road trip visiting the Idaho Steelheads on Friday and Saturday night. For more information, and the latest promotional news and updates, fans can visit the Aces at their Facebook page for more information, or call the Aces at 907.258.ACES.

The Aces jumped out to another quick start, and grabbed the first goal just minutes into the contest. Bryan Miller made a great play to keep a clearing attempt in the zone, and Wes Goldie scored a power play goal on a rebound at 3:09 to make it 1-0 Alaska. It was Goldie's league-leading 30th goal of the year. The Steelheads quickly answered when Dean Yakura scored in his Idaho debut on a shot from the high slot at 5:49. Alaska reclaimed the lead at 11:06 when Goldie put a saucer pass right on the tape of Dan Kissel just outside the crease, where Kissel banged it home to make the score 2-1 after one period of play. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 13-6 in the frame.

The Aces continued to control the pace in the second period, outshooting the Steelheads 12-8. Brian Swanson scored the only goal of the period on a power play at 14:50, when he beat Tyler Beskrowany five-hole on a set-up from Goldie from behind the net for Swanson's 20th goal of the season. The Aces took the 3-1 lead into the locker room at second intermission.

Alaska kept the pedal down in the third. Swanson capped off a two-on-one rush with Goldie at 2:22. The Steelheads finally broke through on the power play at 14:21 when Evan Barlow poked home a rebound to cut the lead to 4-2 Aces. Alaska closed the scoring on a Tyler Ruegsegger power play goal at 16:46 and finish off Idaho 5-2. Goldie finished with a goal and three assists, and Swanson had two goals and an assist.

Adam Courchaine (9-6-1) made 19 saves on 21 shots, earning the win. Tyler Beskrowany (10-5-4) suffered the loss, making 35 saves on 40 shots. The Aces power play went 3-5, while the Steelheads went 1-5. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 40-35 in the game.

The Aces will finish their four-game road trip with a Saturday night rematch with the Idaho Steelheads before returning back to Anchorage next week. They Aces are back at the Sully on Thursday, Feb. 24th, Friday, Feb. 25th and Sunday, Feb. 27th to host the Las Vegas Thunder. Tickets are on sale now. For the most up-to-date team and promotional information, please visit the Aces on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/alaskaaceshockey. Fans can also call the Aces office at 907.258.ACES.



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2011


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