Aces drop series finale in Idaho, 4-3
November 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
BOISE, Idaho - Garrett Bembridge scored twice and added an assist to offset Ryan Gaucher's two goals as Idaho salvaged the finale of a three-game series against Alaska, 4-3, before an announced sell-out crowd of 5,035 at Qwest Arena.
Idaho's power play, clicking along at better than 25 percent entering the game, accounted for the first period scoring, converting two opportunities in a span of 3:40. Garrett Bembridge buried a one-timer from point-blank range in the slot at 10:47, and David Baruruk followed with a goal scored in similar fashion with 5:33 left in the period. Alaska managed just seven shots against Steelheads goalie Steve Silverthorn despite four chances with the man advantage.
The teams combined for just 12 shots (six each) in a sloppy second period, but the Aces drew within 2-1 when Alex Leavitt found Chris Minard all alone in front of the net on a power play. Minard roofed the puck just underneath the crossbar for his fourth goal of the year at 13:18. Bembridge pushed the Idaho margin to 3-1 just 2:58 into the final period, but Gaucher, still without a goal after 10 games, blasted a slap shot past Silverthorn only 64 seconds later to bring Alaska within a goal once again.
Yet the Aces never found an answer for the Steelheads power play, which struck again with 7:10 remaining when Bembridge slipped a pass off the rush to Mike Stutzel, who flicked a backhander past Matt Underhill (21 saves) to extend the Idaho lead to 4-2. Gaucher scored his second of the night at 16:18 on a delayed penalty, but the Aces never got the equalizer, despite having a six-on-four for the game's final 9.8 seconds. With the loss, Alaska drops to 6-3-2, two points behind the first-place Steelheads in the West Division.
The Aces return home next week for a three-game series against the Las Vegas Wranglers, beginning with a pair of night games Wednesday and Thursday at 7:15 p.m. ADT. Saturday's series finale will start at 2:05 p.m. ADT. All Alaska games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com. B2 Networks will air all five games of the upcoming homestand on a pay-per-view basis.
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