Aces complete sweep of Steelies, 2-1, Vegas or Stockton up next
April 14, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Marek Schwarz stopped 27 shots as Alaska claimed its first round playoff series for the fifth consecutive year, beating Idaho 2-1 and dethroning the defending Kelly Cup champions on Sunday in front of 4,698 at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces ended a string of four consecutive playoff series defeats at the hands of the Steelheads, and with Florida's first round loss to Columbia, stand alone as the only team in the league to advance in its first round series each season since 2003-04. Alaska will meet either Las Vegas or Stockton in the conference semi-finals, opening on the road if the Wranglers should advance or at home in Sullivan Arena if the Thunder rallies from a 2-1 series deficit.
Sunday night's game saw Idaho take its first lead of the series at 3:11 of the first period on a Mark Bomersback deflection, but defenseman Ed Hill followed his own rebound with 5:59 left in the frame to pick up his first career playoff goal and deadlock the contest 1-1 at the break. Hill became the 12th of the 16 skaters who appeared in this series for the Aces to score at least one goal.
Immediately following another failed Steelheads power play (Idaho went 1-for-25 in the series), Kimbi Daniels, a part of all four of those previous playoff losses to the Steelheads, found Matt Shasby driving down the slot for a one-timer that put Alaska ahead to stay with 5:18 left in the second period. Cam Keith assisted on both goals and led the Aces with six points (1g-5a), in the series, which saw 14 of Alaska's 16 regulars register at least a point.
Schwarz finished the series with a .951 save percentage and now owns a perfect 10-0 record with the Aces, including six straight wins in the regular season. Alaska will return to practice Wednesday in preparation for its second round series. All 2008 Kelly Cup playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Alaska Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
#5 Alaska def. #4 Idaho (4-0)
Game 1: Alaska 4, Idaho 1
Game 2: Alaska 6, Idaho 4
Game 3: Alaska 3, Idaho 2 (2OT)
Game 4: Alaska 2, Idaho 1
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