Aces cruise, 6-1, over 'Dogs
March 10, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Matt Robinson scored twice and the defensive pairing of Peter Metcalf and Matt Shasby each contributed a goal and an assist in Alaska's 6-1 throttling of Long Beach before 4,833 Friday at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces remained unbeaten in their last 16 games at home (15-0-1) while increasing their lead to eight points in the race for the Brabham Cup, as Las Vegas fell at home to Texas, 4-0. Alaska has lost just three of its previous 28 games and only one of its last 23 at home. With Idaho dropping a 3-1 decision at home, the Aces saw their magic number for clinching a third straight West Division title reduced to six.
For the 15th consecutive game, Alaska scored first, as Robinson buried a snap shot from between the circles at 4:56 of the first period. Less than two minutes later, Vladimir Novak tipped in a Corbin Schmidt drive from the point, the first of three power play goals for the Aces and one that chased Ice Dogs goalie Mike Brown at the 6:31 mark. Kimbi Daniels extended the lead to 3-0 at 1:28 of the second period, scoring on a wrist shot that squirted between Brett Jaeger's pads, marking his 17th goal of the season and his 400th point as an Ace.
Metcalf, the ECHL leader among defensemen in scoring with 52 points, put the game away with a power play goal from the point at 6:46 of the third period, his fourth goal in four games against Long Beach and 12th of the season. Mark Hurtubise, who played with Alaska starter Derek Gustafson last year in Adirondack (UHL), spoiled his ex-teammate's bid for a fifth shutout this season with a power play goal to put Long Beach on the board with 7:32 left in regulation. Robinson scored his second goal of the night and his fourth in three games exactly 10 seconds later, and Shasby accounted for the final margin with another power play goal at 13:58. Gustafson mopped up to collect his 22nd win in his last 26 starts, finishing with 23 saves.
Alaska (42-13-4 overall) has won all four of this year's meetings with the Ice Dogs heading into tomorrow's rematch at 7:15 p.m., with the series finale scheduled for Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday's games are available at participating Fred Meyer locations, by calling 258-ACES, or logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.
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