Aces Continue Defensive Dominance Over Eagles
March 14, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release
LOVELAND, Colo. - The Colorado Eagles were hoping that things would be different when they hosted the Alaska Aces for the first time at the Budweiser Events Center, but just like the previous five meetings in Alaska, the defending league champions' league-leading defense was able to stifle the Eagles' potent offense. Not only did Alaska hold Colorado to a franchise record low-tying 17 shots, they held the Eagles to one goal or fewer for the fifth time in six meetings.
Despite a decided edge in time of possession early in the opening frame, the Aces' suffocating defense held the Eagles to just two shots in the first 10 minutes and just four shots in the period. And at 12:14, Alaska's leading scorer, Dan Kissel, put the defending champs up 1-0 with a one-timer from the right faceoff dot on the Aces' only power play of the period.
Alaska doubled their lead just 55 seconds into the second stanza when Ryan Cruthers dished a pass from behind the net to Zach Harrison in the low slot for a shot past Andrew Penner. Things opened up for Colorado's offense in the second half of the period, and at 13:58, Kevin Ulanski was able to cut the Aces' lead in half.
Joey Sides started the play by using his speed to take the puck down the left wing following a faceoff. The puck made its way to Aaron Schneekloth in the left circle and his rebound off the endboards found its way to Ulanski below the right circle. He quickly snapped it into the net behind a scrambling James Reid, taking sole possession of 4th place on the team's all-time points list in the process.
The Eagles nearly tied the game in the final minute of the second period, just missing on several open chances in a row, but Alaska took the puck down the ice and was able to increase its lead once more with a counter-punch. With just 5.4 seconds left in the frame, Chad Anderson collected a loose puck at the point and calmly sent a shot from the high slot top-shelf past a screened Penner to make it 3-1 heading into the second intermission.
Each team put up seven shots in the third period, but it was Alaska again that was able to find the net when Brian Swanson made it 4-1 at 17:44. Following a battle behind the Eagles' cage, Nick Mazzolini found Swanson all alone in the low slot for the game's final goal. The two teams will meet again Friday & Saturday.
ECHL Stories from March 14, 2012
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- Express Power Past Nailers for 3-1 Win - Chicago Express
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