Aces Drop Exhibition Opener 3-1 to Thunder
October 6, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Tyson Sexsmith made 31 saves and the Stockton Thunder won the special teams battle as the Alaska Aces fell 3-1 to the Thunder in their 2010 Exhibition Opener on Tuesday night at the Sullivan Arena. The game was part of a two-night, "Purple with Purpose" pre-season fundraiser to help the fight against cancer. Tickets are available for Wednesday's rematch at 7:15pm. A post-game jersey acution of the Aces purple game sweaters will be held immediately following the game. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and the jersey auction will go to benefit the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Focus Inc. Make your plans to be part of all the festivities on Wednesday night. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.alaskaaces.com.
Stockton struck first blood with a pair of opening period goals to seize control. Matt Jones batted in a waist high rebound on a two-man advantage 7:41 into the contest to give the Thunder their first lead. At the 11:00 minute mark, Stockton increased their lead when Fraser Clair rifled a slap shot past Travis Yonkman from the top of the right circle, just seconds after an expiring Aces penalty. The Aces outshot the Thunder 11-9 in the period, but trailed 2-0 heading into the intermission break.
The Aces didn't take long to find the scoreboard in the second period. Just 11 seconds into the middle frame, Garry Nunn took a feed from Scott Burt on an rush into the zone, to bring the Aces within a goal. The goal seemed to spark the Aces who came close on back to back chances on the ensuing shift looking for the equalizer. However, an Alaska penalty provided the Thunder power play with another opportunity, and Stockton capitalized. Sean Menton scored on a hard rebound from the end wall at 1:40 to bring the Thunder back up by a pair. The score stood throughout the frame, as tempers flared and the physical play intensified. Late in the frame Alaska's Ethan Cox and Stockton's Jordan Foreman dropped the gloves for the game's first fight. The Aces outshot the Thunder 12-6 in the period.
Stockton protected their lead in the third period, with Sexsmith adding nine more saves to his total, helping the Thunder preserve the 3-1 win.
Travis Yonkman (0-1) suffered the loss, making 22 of 25 saves, and Tyson Sexsmith (1-0) earned the victory with 31 saves on 32 shots. The Aces power played went 0-7, while the Thunder went 2-5. Alaska outshot Stockton 32-25 in the game.
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