Aces Close Out 2009 In Style
Published on January 1, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Justin Johnson scored his first two goals in an Alaska sweater and Scott Reid piled up 41 saves as the Aces completed a two-game sweep of Ontario with a 6-3 decision Thursday in front of 4,846 at Sullivan Arena.
Alaska (13-16-2) has won back-to-back games for the first time in more than a month heading into a three-game series against Victoria that opens Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and continues Sunday at 5:05 p.m. and Monday at 7:15 p.m. The Aces, in the midst of a stretch of 10 games in 14 days, swept the Salmon Kings in a three-game series at Sullivan Arena to open the season but lost a pair earlier this week in Canada. Victoria has won 10 straight games to climb into second place in the West Divison. KFQD 750 AM will have live coverage of all three games this weekend, beginning with the Peanut Farm Pre-Game show Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
The Aces had to rally for a 3-2 shootout victory over the Reign but never trailed on New Year's Eve, as Johnson, in his third stint with his hometown team, scored his first goal at 12:33 of the opening period, deflecting a shot by Evan Kotsopoulos past Ontario netminder Curtis Darling. Greg Hogeboom tied the game less than two minutes later, but the Reign failed to capitalize on a five-on-three power play and had to settle for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes despite firing 24 shots on goal, the most in the first period by any ECHL team this season.
T.J. Fast gave Alaska the lead for good by ripping a slap shot from between the circles past Darling with the hosts on a power play at 12:25 of the second period. Alexandre Imbeault scored 30 seconds into the final period to provide a 3-1 cusion, but David Walker answered for the visitors with a wrist shot that cut the gap to one with 16:06 still remaining.
Eric Boguniecki, held without a point for six straight games, scored on a backhander with 14:31 left in regulation, and Alaska put the game away on goals by John Lammers and Johnson 31 seconds apart midway through the third period. Walker's second goal of the night for Ontario (13-16-4) in the game's final minute capped the scoring. The Aces were out-shot 44-31, but actually held a 24-20 edge in that category after the opening 20 minutes. Alaska has never lost in five meetings with the Reign in Anchorage.
ECHL Stories from January 1, 2010
- Devils Celebrate New Year with 7-4 Win - Trenton Devils
- Steelheads Silence Thunder, 5-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho levels three-game series at Boise with late rally in third period - Stockton Thunder
- Jackals Comeback Bid Denied By Devils, Fall 7-4 - Elmira Jackals
- K-Wings win in dramatic fashion - Kalamazoo Wings
- Binda, Owen, Reid Named ECHL All-Star Game Officials - ECHL
- ECHL Transactions - January 1 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder At Idaho Steelheads - Stockton Thunder
- Pitton Back To NHL, Sorochan Reassigned - Stockton Thunder
- Lowry Assigned To Jackals - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Receive Van Buskirk; Fornataro Loaned To Norfolk - South Carolina Stingrays
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Kalamazoo Loans Forward Ben Simon to the Toronto Marlies - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Reign Falls To Aces, 6-3 - Ontario Reign
- Aces Close Out 2009 In Style - Alaska Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
