Aces Derail 'Runners 6-1
February 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Barrett Heisten scored twice and assisted on another goal as Alaska tied a club record with its 11th straight win at home, a 6-1 drubbing of Phoenix before 5,836 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
The last player without a goal on Alaska's roster opened the scoring early in the first period, as Hans Benson redirected Mike Scott's centering pass at 4:34. The RoadRunners quickly tied the game, as Chris Cava's drive was poked home by Brock Hooton at 7:02. But that goal proved to be the only shot that slipped past Aces starter Derek Gustafson, who faced just 16 shots in posting his ninth straight victory at home and his 13th over his last 14 starts. Heisten scored the first of his two goals on a backhander with 6:58 left in the opening period, and Alaska never was threatened thereafter, out-shooting Phoenix 36-9 over the final 40 minutes.
Kevin Croxton scored his 20th goal of the year, second among ECHL rookies, just 1:18 into the second period, and fellow all-star rookie Julian Talbot followed with his 16th of the season at 14:37, punching in his own rebound. Leading 4-1 entering the final period, Alaska did not put the game away until a pair of power play goals 55 seconds apart midway through, extending its streak to nine of consecutive games with at least one goal by way of the man advantage (and a total of 20 over that span).
Heisten scored his second in a five-on-three situation with 11:54 left in regulation, and Stephen Wood followed with his eighth goal in 18 games in an Aces sweater. Phoenix mustered just three shots over the final 20 minutes, as compared to Alaska's 19.
The Aces remain first overall in the ECHL with a 34-12-2 record, including wins in nine of their last 10 overall and 15 of 17. Over the course of its club record-tying 11-game home winning streak (a feat accomplished by four previous Aces teams, most recently last year), Alaska has outscored its opposition 48-14. The Aces and RoadRunners, who are winless in their last five games to fall just one game above .500 (22-21-4) line up tomorrow for the series finale at 5:05 p.m.
Fans may participate in the "Skate with the Aces," courtesy of Fred Meyer, immediately after the contest. Tickets are available online at www.alaskaaces.com or by calling 258-ACES. All games are broadcast live on the flagship home of Alaska Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM.
ECHL Stories from February 11, 2007
- Aces polish off three-game sweep of 'Runners, 6-1 - Alaska Aces
- Aces Sweep RoadRunners With Second Straight 6-1 Win - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Royals Stumble Late And Lose In Johnstown, 5-2 - Reading Royals
- Thunder score late, comeback attempt falls just short - Stockton Thunder
- Checkers edged by Columbia 3-2 before second consecutive sellout crowd - Charlotte Checkers
- Wranglers Edge Thunder 2-1 for Fourth Straight Win - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Lynx Bite Gladiators 7-4 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Lynx slay Gladiators, 7-4 - Augusta Lynx
- South Carolina Stings Wildcatters with 3-0 Shutout - Texas Wildcatters
- Parley, Stingrays Shut Out Wildcatters 3-0 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Chiefs crown Royals, 5-2 - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Dubnyk Reassigned To Stockton - Stockton Thunder
- Rays Take On Texas Tonight - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces Derail 'Runners 6-1 - Alaska Aces
- Aces Storm Through RoadRunners 6-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Largest-ever Checkers crowd on "Circle K Hockey Night" watches Texas prevail 6-3 - Charlotte Checkers
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