Aces close out Salmon Kings 3-0, regain first place
Published on April 2, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Making just his second professional start and only three weeks removed from completing his college career, John DeCaro stopped all 20 shots he faced as Alaska claimed its 50th victory with a 3-0 whitewash of Victoria in front of another capacity crowd of 6,451 at Sullivan Arena.
Justin Maiser scored the only goal the Aces would need on a redirection two minutes into the game. Corbin Schmidt fired a wrist shot from the top of the left circle that beat Salmon Kings goaltender Rob McVicar top shelf at 9:35, the first of two Alaska power play goals. Each of the first two goals were assisted by Matt Shasby and Kimbi Daniels, and the Aces took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after the opening 20 minutes, the first time in seven games the team had led after one period.
A scoreless second period followed, and with Alaska's defense stifling Victoria, a one-timer by Alex Leavitt, his third goal of the series and 24th of the year, sealed the game five minutes into the third period. In 10 games against Victoria this season, the Aces scored 15 power play goals while going 6-1-3. The victory ended Alaska's longest winless streak since March of 2003 at five games (0-2-3) while putting the Aces back in first place, one point ahead of idle Las Vegas in the West Division.
Alaska became the eighth team in the history of the ECHL to reach the 50-win plateau and only the third team ever to register 30 victories at home, tying the record shared by Louisiana (2001-02) and San Diego (2003-04). The Aces improved to 50-11-7 overall and still have a game in hand over the Wranglers, but will play their final four regular season games on the road, beginning Tuesday night in Fresno against the Pacific Division champion Falcons at 6:00 p.m. AST. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where all home games and selected road contests also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks.
ECHL Stories from April 2, 2006
- Steelheads Win Shootout Thriller Over Gulls, 3-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho Knocks Out Gulls In A Shootout, 4-3 - San Diego Gulls
- Falcons Lose in Overtime, 2-1 - Fresno Falcons
- Thunder knocks off Fresno in 2-1 OT win - Stockton Thunder
- Bombers almost tie it in final seconds of 3-2 loss to Toledo - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- San Diego Tied To Extend Winning Streak To Four, Home Streak To Seven - San Diego Gulls
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- This One Goes To The Dogs - Stockton Thunder
- Royals Drop Disheartening Decision In Dayton, 4-2 - Reading Royals
- Aces close out Salmon Kings 3-0, regain first place - Alaska Aces
- Checkers smooth as "Glass" in 3-1 win at Augusta - Charlotte Checkers
- VanBallegooie's Four-point Night Leads the Way Over Utah - Fresno Falcons
- Aces high, Kings low, No Jokers - Victoria Salmon Kings
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