Aces Clinch Playoff Spot with 5-2 Win at Stockton
March 6, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Garry Nunn's three-point night helped the Alaska Aces take two of three games in a weekend series with the Stockton Thunder, and helped lead Alaska back to the playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Thunder from Stockton Arena on Sunday night. The Aces moved into a first-place tie with Las Vegas in the Western Conference, and became the second ECHL team this season to clinch a playoff berth. The win was the Aces seventh in the last eight road games, and lifted Alaska's record to 35-20-4 on the year. They moved five points ahead of Idaho with a game in hand for first in the Mountain Division. The Aces now return home for a three-game set with the Victoria Salmon Kings. 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 teams played a back and forth start to the hockey game, and matched each other nearly stride for stride in the opening period. Kelly Czuy gave Stockton the first lead at 15:11 when he froze Adam Courchaine with a fake shot, and then slid a backhand past him to opening the scoring. The Aces answered 32 seconds later when Ethan Cox banked the puck off of Bryan Pitton's pad and into the net behind him off a centering feed from beneath the end line. The teams engaged in two fights in the period with Scott Burt and Alex Dzielski both taking on Stockton's Garet Hunt. The Aces outshot the Thunder 13-10 in the period.
Adam Courchaine (14-7-2) made 26 saves on 28 shots. Bryan Pitton (17-9-3) took the loss, making 23 saves on 28 shots. The Aces power play went 0-1, while the Thunder went 0-2. The Aces and Thunder each had 28 shots in the game.
The Aces will return home to begin a three-game set with the Victoria Salmon Kings on Mar. 9th, 11th, and 12th. 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 March 6, 2011
- Thunder concedes two games to Alaska in weekend series - Stockton Thunder
- Royals Slip Down the Stretch Again and Lose to Wheeling, 2-1 - Reading Royals
- Aces Clinch Playoff Spot with 5-2 Win at Stockton - Alaska Aces
- Nailers Third Period Rally Dethrones Royals - Wheeling Nailers
- Road Warriors Bit By Jackals Late - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Glads Win Sixth Straight, Top Trenton 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- K-Wings Extend Regulation Unbeaten Streak to 13 with 4-1 Victory against Cincinnati - Kalamazoo Wings
- Wings Defeat Cyclones, 4-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Voakes Loaned To Portland - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Transactions - March 6 - ECHL
- Royals Sign Defensemen Eric Baier and Denny Urban - Reading Royals
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Alaska Aces - Stockton Thunder
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira at Greenville - Elmira Jackals
- Hershey Assigns DeMichiel to Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - March 6 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati Vs. Kalamazoo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Road Warriors Tame Jackals - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Today - March 6 - ECHL
- Thunder draws another crowd over 8,000 for Saturday night game - Stockton Thunder
- Aces, Courchaine Blank Thunder 5-0 - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers Win in Idaho, 6-5 / Clinch Playoff Spot - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Stephane Goulet notches hat trick as Victoria fall 5-2 versus Bakersfield - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Grizzlies Beat Ontario 5-1 - Utah Grizzlies
- Goulet picks up hat trick; Condors win 5-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- Reign lose to Grizzlies - Ontario Reign
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