Aces drop ten-game road trip opener in Ontario

Published on March 19, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Maxim Kitsyn and Matt White each collected a goal and an assist, enough for the Ontario Reign to hold off the Alaska Aces, 3-1 in a ten-game road trip opener before 6,186 fans at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday.

Alaska's trip, spanning every Pacific Division opponent except for Colorado, opened with a first period goal from Brendan Connolly, while Niklas Lundstrom had 22 saves in the defeat, making his third consecutive start.

Counterpart Joe Cannata stopped 18 shots, lifting Ontario to their fourth straight win.

Just 3:18 into the game, former Aces forward Garry Nunn was credited with his 17th goal of the season off a jam play at the net after Lundstrom foiled Nolan Julseth-White's blast from the point. But the Aces responded on Connolly's 25th goal of the season, his fifth in three games, for a 1-1 tie after taking a Dean Chelios relay at the right wing and burying a wrister from the circle.

Defenseman Evan Renwick, who had logged eight points and a +10 rating in his first 15 games, was lost for the duration after receiving a boarding penalty and game misconduct (added to a fight with Kitsyn) in the second period. The Aces penalty kill held Ontario scoreless, but White eventually gave the Reign a 2-1 lead after he got behind the Aces defense and converted a backhand deke at 8:20.

The Aces had their best chance of the period foiled after a Greg Wolfe deflection produced a loose puck in the crease, followed by a desperate reaching save by Cannata's glove after Wolfe swung out front for the rebound.

Ontario killed two Aces power plays in the third period and Kitsyn closed the scoring with an empty netter from center ice with 1:19 remaining in regulation.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Erik Higby, Felix Poulin, Tim Coffman, Ryan Tesink and Brad Gorham ... the Aces penalty kill is 16-of-17, spanning the last four games ... Chelios has collected three assists in his first two games with Alaska ... the Aces stayed three points back of fourth place Utah ... Nilan Nagy made his Aces debut, deployed at even strength and penalty kill situations.

The rematch between the two teams is Friday at 6:00 p.m. (KFQD/ECHL.TV) in Ontario.

For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.

Three Stars:

1. ONT - M. White

2. ONT - M. Kitsyn

3. ONT - G. Nunn

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