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Aces close chapter on Bakersfield rivalry tying season high eight goals

March 25, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Nine different players registered multi point games and the Alaska Aces used a season high six goals in the first period to rout the Bakersfield Condors in an 8-4 victory before 3,012 fans, closing a storied rivalry dating back to the WCHL at Rabobank Arena on Tuesday.

The Aces, finishing 58-32-7 in the all-time series since the two teams entered the ECHL in 2003-04, ripped off six unanswered goals in a span of 7:26 in the first period. Bryan Cameron dished out three assists and rookie defenseman Evan Renwick was +4 on the blueline. Troy Redmann registered 37 saves to lift the Aces within three points of fourth place Utah, idle on Tuesday.

FINAL STATS: Box score | AUDIO: Game highlights (KFQD) | GOAL: Nilan Nagy (KFQD)

Former UAF goaltender Sean Cahill, pierced for four goals in 11 shots and 14:18 of action, was replaced by Kris Lazaruk who made 17 stops.

The Condors, who will play in the American Hockey League next season, went up 1-0 when Andrew Radjenovic buried a tap-in at the net just 1:37 into the game, set up by Austin Block from the left corner. But the Aces began the surge on Greg Wolfe's deke to Cahill's glove side, set up by Dean Chelios, for a 1-1 tie at 8:25. Chris Francis then took a blocked shot and raced behind the Condors defense for a late breakaway goal at 10:24 for a 2-1 edge.

Brendan Connolly's career-high 27th goal, a rebound slammed past Cahill after a stop on Landon Oslanski's point shot, put the Aces ahead 3-1 at 12:23 and Renwick followed with a floater from the left point to chase Cahill at 14:18 for a 4-1 cushion.

Erik Higby greeted backup Kris Lazaruk with a one-timer from the slot, set up by Renwick from the left corner, for a 5-1 lead at 15:21 and 30 seconds later, Nilan Nagy stashed his first career ECHL goal for a 6-1 lead from the slot.

Jonathan Lessard ended the period on a turnaround goal with 2:10 to play, but Walters boosted the Aces lead to 7-2 on a power play goal at 1:18 of the second period, set up by Wolfe at the inside of the left circle. Sebastien Sylvestre's 21st goal at 10:21 of the second and Nick Pageau's drive from the right point at 12:55 worked the deficit to 7-4, but Justin Breton hit the 10-goal mark and put the Aces up 8-4 on a set-up by Bryan Cameron from behind the net with 4:48 to play.

The Aces, who defeated the Condors in all three lifetime playoff matchups (2005, 2007, 2014), finished the season series at 5-5-2 against Bakersfield.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Justin Johnson, Tim Coffman, Ryan Tesink and Brad Gorham ... Chelios (6 points in 5 games) and Oslanski (6 points in 6 games) are at a point-per-game or better since joining the Aces at the trade deadline ... Connolly has 11 points in 6 games since returning from the 21-day injured reserve and has moved into third place in ECHL scoring with 70 points in 54 games ... the Aces improved to 2-2-0 on the ten-game road trip.

Alaska moves onto to visit the Stockton Thunder in the final three meetings between the two teams, starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. (KFQD/ECHL.TV) from Stockton Arena.

For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.

Three Stars:

1. AK - B. Cameron

2. AK - E. Higby

3. BAK - A. Radjenovic



ECHL Stories from March 25, 2015


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