Aces claim 2006 Kelly Cup with 5-4 win at Gwinnett
June 2, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
DULUTH, Georgia - Matt Underhill stopped 40 shots as the Alaska Aces became only the second team ever to finish first in the regular season and win the Kelly Cup in the same year with a 4-3 triumph over Gwinnett Thursday, taking the series four games to one.
Mike Scott, who scored a shorthanded goal in the first period and the game-winner on a power play midway through the second, completing a comeback from a 3-1 deficit, was named Playoff MVP with 11 goals and 10 assists in 22 postseason games. The win over the Gladiators marked the third consecutive team with at least 100 points during the regular season that Alaska defeated on its way to the Kelly Cup. Kimbi Daniels took home his second ECHL title 10 years after his first (1996, Charlotte), while Peter Metcalf will have his name engraved on the Kelly Cup for the second time in four seasons (2003, Atlantic City).
Gwinnett led in all five games of the Finals, grabbing a 1-0 lead just 2:51 into the game on a power play goal by Guillaume Desbiens. Scott tied the contest with Alaska's record-setting ninth shorthanded goal of the playoffs midway through the first period, but Jon Awe regained a 2-1 edge for the Gladiators less than a minute later with a blast from the point. Derek Nesbitt out-maneuvered Scott in front of the Aces net for a tap-in to push the margin to 3-1, but Alaska scored twice in the final 2:04 to forge a 3-3 tie heading into intermission.
On a delayed penalty, Scott whipped a pass from the left corner to Olivier Filion in the slot, who proceeded to beat Adam Berkhoel top shelf for his fifth goal of the postseason, and with 20.3 seconds left in the period, Barrett Heisten found an open Cam Keith in the slot for a point blank chance that deadlocked the game. Scott's game-winner came from the point and sailed through a screened Berkhoel, and despite being out-shot for the fourth consecutive game (43-35) and allowing Gwinnett 12 power play opportunities, the Aces hung on to win, as Matt York missed an open net in the final minute that could have forced overtime.
The Aces will be arriving at the airport in Anchorage at 2:07 p.m. ADT on Northwest Airlines Flight 843. The team also will play host to a Kelly Cup celebration Saturday evening, beginning at 5:45 p.m. ADT. 2006-07 season tickets are now on sale; for more information on tickets, sponsorships, and off-season signings, please visit www.alaskaaces.com.
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- Calder Cup Finals Have 25 ECHL Players, Three Coaches - ECHL
- Aces claim 2006 Kelly Cup with 5-4 win at Gwinnett - Alaska Aces
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