Aces Corral Wranglers, 3-1
March 26, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Scott Gomez, back in the lineup after a three-game absence, set up both of Chris Minard's goals as Alaska defeated Las Vegas 3-1 before a sell-out crowd of 6,251 at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces, who looked flat for much of Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Wranglers but improved to 6-0-1 in front of capacity crowds, broke through on a power play early in the first period, as Gomez laid a perfect drop pass onto the tape of Minard, who snapped a wrist shot by Vegas goaltender Marc Magliarditti glove side at 2:44.
Alaska had managed just five shot in each of the last two periods Wednesday after taking a 1-0 lead, and the club looked determined not to repeat that effort in the second period. The Aces held a 14-3 edge in shots on goal (33-20 for the game) and extended the gap to 2-0 when Mike Scott found Chris Heisten with a perfect cross-ice feed from the left half-boards just 1:49 into the middle frame. Heisten roofed a wrister for his 14th of the year, and Alaska's lead remained two heading to the final 20 minutes.
Minard pushed the margin to 3-0 by flicking in a rebound off-balance at 2:24 of the third period, but his turnover led to Shawn Limpright's goal 34 seconds later, keeping the Wranglers (28-29-8) afloat. Peter Aubry held sway for the remainder of the contest, finishing with 19 saves and collecting his 25th win in the process. The Aces also received some help in other West Division games, as Long Beach fell 2-0 in San Diego and Bakersfield blew a 2-0 lead in an eventual 3-2 OT loss to Gwinnett. The Ice Dogs and Condors remain six points behind front-running Alaska with six games left to play in the regular season.
The Aces (41-17-8) and Wranglers meet tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. in the final regular season game at Sullivan Arena. All Alaska games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, with coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off. Four of the five games road games remaining for the Aces will be made available on a pay-per-view basis at www.alaskaaces.com, courtesy of B2 Networks (the April 1 game at Long Beach will be on KFQD only). For tickets and 2005 Kelly Cup playoff information, please call 258-ACES.
ECHL Stories from March 26, 2005
- Gators chomped by Wolves 7-2 - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Shut Out Wheeling 3-0 at Home - Peoria Rivermen
- Ice Pilots score four in first en route to win - Augusta Lynx
- Everblades knock off Salmon Kings 5-2 - Florida Everblades
- Titans Down Royals 6-2 - Trenton Devils
- Pride drop second straight in Texas - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Skating on Fumes - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Mather's Hat Trick Propels Bullies Over Chiefs 5-3 - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Storm Keep Pace In Playoff Race With Win Over Dayton - Dayton Bombers
- Falcons Sign Rookie Out of Minnesota-Duluth - Fresno Falcons
- Peverley Recalled to Portland - South Carolina Stingrays
- Beckford-Tseu & Maiser Reassigned to Worcester (AHL); Chouinard Signed - Peoria Rivermen
- Gwinnett Can Clinch Playoff Berth with Win Tonight - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces Corral Wranglers, 3-1 - Alaska Aces
- Columbia shuts out the Checkers 2-0 - Charlotte Checkers
- Condors can't hold on against Gladiators - Bakersfield Condors
- Gladiators Fly By Condors, 3-2 in Overtime - Atlanta Gladiators
- Falcons' Three-Goal Comeback Ultimately Falls Short in OT - Fresno Falcons
- Sea Wolves Sink IceGators 5-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Gulls Blank Long Beach, 2-0 - San Diego Gulls
- Steelheads withstand late Fresno rally, win 6-5 in OT - Idaho Steelheads
- Rivermen Edge Wheeling in a Shootout 2-1 - Peoria Rivermen
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.
