Aces Close Home Schedule with 6-0 Win Over Utah

March 27, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


The Alaska Aces saved their biggest home win of the season for their last one. Six different Aces scored, and Adam Courchaine turned aside 13 shots for his co-league-leading fourth shutout, as the Aces emphatically swept the Utah Grizzlies with a 6-0 win at Sullivan Arena on Sunday afternoon. Alaska earned their second shutout in three games, and outscored the Grizzlies 14-1 in the Aces final home stand of the regular season. Alaska's win was their sixth straight and 12th in the last 13 games. Alaska's record improved to 45-21-3 on the year, and reduced their magic number to clinch the Brabham Cup regular season title to three points. The Aces will close the regular season with three games in Victoria next week, before returning home in mid-April for Games 1 & 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. 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.

A physical first period energized the crowd of nearly 4,200 fans, and featured multiple big hits, and two fights. Alaska's Bryant Molle fought Riley Emmerson in the second shift of his pro debut. Shortly thereafter, Curtis Fraser fought Utah's Simon Ferguson, and Alaska responded to the boost. The Aces scored two quick goals late in the frame, when Mark Isherwood scored on a power play at 13:30, and Brandon Gentile scored from a sharp angle at 16:04. Alaska took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at first intermission.

The Aces struck three times in the second period for the third straight game. Scott Burt capped a two-on-one at 3:36 to make it 3-0 Alaska. Ethan Cox then scored on a rebound on a power play at 8:29. Following the goal, Andrew Engelage was pulled for the second time in three games, in favor of Tyler Sims. The Aces added another goal when Garry Nunn scored on a rebound at 16:48 to complete the middle period scoring.

Alaska got the final goal of the game at 4:13 of the third period when Wes Goldie scored his league-leading 43rd goal of the season. Goldie's point streak was extended to 15 games, and his lead for the goal scoring title was lifted to three goals. Courchaine and the Aces never let Utah generate anything offensively, as the Aces held on four their eighth team shutout of the season. The Aces finished their home schedule with a league-best 26-7-3 home record.

Adam Courchaine (16-7-1) earned the win, making 13 saves on 13 shots. Andrew Engelage (19-14-5) suffered the loss, making 9 saves on 13 shots. Tyler Sims stopped 18 of 20 in relief, and did not figure into the decision. The Aces went 2-9 on the power play, while the Grizzlies went 0-3. The Aces outshot the Grizzlies 33-13 in the game.

The Aces will close the regular season with three games in Victoria next week, before returning home in mid-April for Games 1 & 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals and the debut of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs. 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 27, 2011


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