Aces double up Thunder, 4-2
January 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Josh Soares scored twice, assisted on other two goals, and picked up a fighting major as Alaska raced to a 4-0 lead before settling for a 4-2 victory in front of 4,892 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
The Thunder had won three straight games against the Aces, all in Anchorage and all in overtime, but their failure to contain the Alaska power play proved costly, as for the second straight game, the Aces struck three times with the man advantage. Olivier Filion opened the scoring with his 13th goal of the season on an Alaska power play with nine minutes to play in the first period. Matt Robinson scored for the second straight night just 1:38 into the second period, marking just the second even strength goal for the Aces among their 11 in the three-game series.
When Soares scored a pair of power play goals, the first of which at 4:03 of the middle frame and the second with 7:08 left in the period, Alaska appeared well on its way to a rout. But Andy Contois gave Stockton hope by converting a breakaway with 5:33 left in the second period, and Brad Farynuk inched the Thunder closer with a power play goal at 12:27 of the third. Derek Gustafson preserved the lead, however, with 27 saves, and a failed Stockton power play with five minutes left sealed its fate.
Soares finished the series with five goals (giving him a team-leading 19) and three assists, and has 17 points (7g-10a) in eight meetings with the Thunder this season. The victory marked only the second for Alaska in regulation since a 5-2 win over Stockton December 11, which also was the last time that the Aces had held their opponents to less than three goals.
With Victoria and Idaho also winning Saturday, Alaska (19-11-5 overall) remains in third place in the West, just five points out of the division lead. The next 11 games for the Aces will be against West opposition, beginning with a two-game set in Boise against the defending Kelly Cup champions Friday and Saturday night at 5:10 p.m. ADT. Alaska took two of three in Idaho when the teams met in early November. All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
ECHL Stories from January 13, 2008
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- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Steelheads Power Play Explodes In 4-1 Win Versus Grizzlies - Idaho Steelheads
- Aces double up Thunder, 4-2 - Alaska Aces
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