Aces drop shootout in Vegas, 3-2
Published on March 19, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
LAS VEGAS - Alaska goaltender Matt Underhill matched his season-high with 37 saves and Mike Scott scored a power play goal late in the second period that eventually forced overtime in a 3-2 shootout loss at Las Vegas in front of 6,765 at Orleans Arena.
The Aces burst out to a 1-0 lead when Kimbi Daniels set Barrett Heisten loose on a breakaway less than two minutes into the game. Heisten beat Wranglers goalie Mike McKenna top shelf at 1:38 for his 25th goal of the year. But Las Vegas started to establish sustained attacking zone time late in the period, and Sean O'Connor banged home a couple of loose pucks in front to give Vegas its first lead of the series, the second of which came on a rebound with 3:54 left in the first period.
Scott's equalizer came on the power play with 6:02 remaining in the middle frame, his third goal of the series and 33rd of the season. The Wranglers enjoyed a two-man advantage and power play time for the final 3:40 of the second period, firing 11 shots at Underhill over that span, but failed to regain the lead.
A conservatively played third period followed, with Las Vegas out-shooting the Aces 6-3 over the final 20 minutes and 39-26 for the game. Daniels and Alex Leavitt each had breakaway opportunities in overtime, but McKenna came up with the stops that forced a shootout. After each team scored twice in the first five rounds, Marco Peluso beat Underhill in the sixth round after Daniels' backhander clipped the post in Alaska's half.
The Aces (49-9-5) still lead the Wranglers by three points in the West Division with a game in hand heading into Tuesday's series finale at 6:00 p.m. AST. Alaska will take Sunday off and practice Monday at Noon in preparation for its final regular season meeting with Las Vegas. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where all home games and selected road contests also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks.
ECHL Stories from March 19, 2006
- Everblades Weekly - Florida Everblades
- Lingren recalled to AHL - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Salmon Kings pick up forward from the Prairies - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Bertoli loaned to Norfolk - Trenton Devils
- Checkers edged by Gwinnett 4-3 - Charlotte Checkers
- Nailers Defeat Royals With Late Game Surge, 2-1 - Reading Royals
- Aces drop shootout in Vegas, 3-2 - Alaska Aces
- Deschamps Caps Come-from-behind Overtime Win - Fresno Falcons
- Thunder leaves Idaho with 4-1 loss, Silverthorn stops 24 shots - Stockton Thunder
- San Diego swoop away with shoot out win - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Wranglers outlast Aces 3-2 in shootout - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Magers Makes His Mark in Condors 4-1 Win Over Phoenix - Bakersfield Condors
- Mager Pain: Condors Stone RoadRunners 4-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
