Aces Escape Roadrunners in Shootout 2-1

by Andrew Nordmeier
January 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners


The Alaska Aces used a pair of goals in a four-round shootout, both of which went through the five-hole of Phoenix netminder Michael Mole, to finish a three-game series against the Phoenix Roadrunners with a 2-1 win Friday night at the US Airways Center.

"It ‘s huge for morale. It's a big point," Phoenix Head Coach Ron Filion said, "We get three points in the last three games such as Alaska, it's a big boost. It proves to our players why (assistant coach) JJ (Daigneault) and I are not quitting on them."

In the shootout, the Aces (27-5-3) got goals from Olivier Filion in the first round and Ryan Ramsey in the third round while Alaska goaltender Matt Underhill turned aside all four Phoenix chances in the shootout. Filion and Ramsey both used similar moves, cutting to the front of the net and switching to their backhands before sliding the puck through Mole's wickets.

"That's not normally what Filion goes over the boards to do," Alaska Head Coach Davis Payne said, "I've never seen Ryan Ramsey in a shootout. I just figured his skill would make a decision that would be good for the hockey team."

Alaska's lone goal came on the power play in the first period. Cam Keith zipped a centering pass to Barrett Heisten. Heisten jammed at the puck twice before pushing the rebound through the pile of bodies at the front of the net. Heisten's 17th goal of the season was also assisted by Olivier Filion and stood up until the closing minutes of regulation.

Phoenix (10-22-3) struck back with 3:10 left as team captain Dean Tiltgen beat Aces' netminder Matt Underhill to tie the score. Off of a turnover, Jake Riddle collected the puck for the Roadrunners and came in on a 2-on-1 with Tiltgen. Riddle worked his way around a sprawled-out Alaska defenseman and fed Tiltgen in the low slot. Tiltgen snapped a wrister by Underhill for his 10th goal of the season and reenergized the crowd.

"It's a step in the right direction. Gaining points against the best team is always a positive sign," Phoenix captain Dean Tiltgen said, ""We're starting to get points and put ourselves in a position to win."

Alaska had a pair of excellent chances to win in overtime but Joe Talbot hit the post in the opening 30 seconds of the extra session. Patrick Wellar ripped a missile from the point and Mole stretched out to his left and snagged the puck just before it went into the net. Alaska outshot Phoenix 16-5 over the third period and overtime and 29-20 for the game.

"For the guys it should be a lesson learned," Filion said, "We proved to ourselves we can stay in the game with them (Vegas). If we get bounces we'd probably get the same sort of result we had against Alaska."

Phoenix finished 0-for-4 on the power play while Alaska went 1-of-5 on the power play. Underhill improved to 15-5-1 while Mole fell to 6-16-3.

Phoenix heads to Las Vegas to tangle with the Wranglers in another West Division match up Saturday night.

"That's probably part of our problem all year. We can't seem to sustain efforts and do it back to back nights," Tiltgen said, "It's something that we're working on. Part of being a pro is being consistent."

Three Stars

3. Underhill-AK Redeeming win for the Aces

2. Mole-PHX Stopped 28 of 29 shots to keep Phoenix in it.

1. Filion-AK GWG in shootout, assist

Notes: Phoenix has killed off 19 of its last 20 penalties against...Phoenix has converted just three of its last 53 power plays...Phoenix forward Justin Quenneville is a second cousin to Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Joel Quennevile...Phoenix 4-6-2 in one-goal games, Alaska is 8-1-4 in those situations...The Aces are 23-0-0 when leading after two periods while Phoenix is 0-19-1 when trailing after 40 minutes...Phoenix is 4-13-1 within the division, Alaska is 14-4-2...Attendance was 4,283.



ECHL Stories from January 14, 2006


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