Aces Double Down on Reign, 6-3

February 22, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Matt Stefanishion had three points in his second game with Alaska while linemate Cam Keith scored a pair of third period goals to propel the Aces past Ontario, 6-3, in front of 5,148 Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Alaska took the season series from the Reign, 6-2, while ending a six-game road winless streak (0-5-1) in the process. Sunday's game marked the first time a contest between the Aces and Ontario was decided by more than two goals. At 31-20-3 overall, Alaska climbed to within three points of West Division leader Victoria, who fell 5-2 in Bakersfield. The Aces conclude their season series with the Condors (22-27-7) Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. ADT.

Nick Tuzzolino gave Alaska an early spark in Sunday's tilt with the Reign by instigating a fight shortly after a big hit on teammate B.J. Crum. The Aces not only killed the penalty, but scored directly thereafter, as Matt Stefanishion found Lance Galbraith streaking out of the box for a breakaway that the latter converted for his 12th goal in an Alaska sweater at 11:08 of the first period. Jon Rheault scored from the slot off a turnover to forge a 1-1 tie with 4:31 left in the frame.

Coming into Sunday's game, the Aces had scored the fewest shorthanded goals in the ECHL (3), but Stefanishion took advantage of an Andrew Martens turnover and went coast-to-coast, beating Ontario goalie Jeff Zatkoff with a backhander for a 2-1 lead seven minutes into the second period. Dale Reinhardt pounced on a loose puck and snapped home the equalizer two and a half minutes later, but a five-minute major against Rheault late in the middle frame proved pivotal, as Alaska scored twice to take the lead for good.

Luke Erickson tipped in a Matt Shasby drive from the point with 1:26 left in the period, giving the Aces a 3-2 edge at the break, and Keith scored after a flurry in front of the Reign net 31 seconds into the third. Tim Kraus scored shorthanded at 3:07, but that proved to be Ontario's last gasp. Alexander Imbeault scored off the rush at 9:57, and Keith capped the scoring with 4:18 left in regulation.

Alaska has won just three of seven games against Bakersfield heading into their season series finale. Tuesday's game will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage getting underway at 5:45 p.m. ADT.



ECHL Stories from February 22, 2009


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