Aces fall to Gladiators 6-1; still lead Finals 3-1
June 1, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
DULUTH, Georgia - Adam Berkhoel came within 9.3 seconds of a shutout as Gwinnett staved off elimination with a 6-1 victory over Alaska in Game Four of the Kelly Cup Finals at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Playing their most physical and defensively sound game of the series, the Gladiators took control early, as they had in Game Three, grabbing a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Milan Gajic at 5:17. But unlike the previous game, Gwinnett solidified its advantage, with two key stops by Berkhoel against Troy Riddle and Barrett Heisten on breakaways, and an even strength goal from Matt York that pushed the margin to 2-0 with 2:40 left in the period.
The Gladiators struck again early in the middle frame, as after the Aces botched a pair of chances to clear the puck, Guillaume Desbiens scored from between the circles just 62 seconds into the period. 37-year-old Cam Brown punctuated a three-point night with his second goal of the playoffs, assisted by York with 6:02 left in the second, extending the gap to 4-0. Alaska started pinching deep in the offensive zone in a desperate attempt to get back into the game, and Gwinnett took advantage at 15:16, scoring on an odd-man rush as Scott Mifsud blasted a slap shot past goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu for an insurmountable 5-0 lead heading into the third period.
Desbiens scored the final goal for the Gladiators on another power play with 8:12 remaining, and though Riddle denied Berkhoel's shutout bid in the final 10 seconds with a redirection off his left skate, the game's outcome had long been decided. Gwinnett held a 36-21 advantage in shots on goal and registered its first win of the series despite having a lead at one point in all four games.
Alaska will try again to secure the state's first pro championship since 1980 tomorrow at 3:35 p.m. ADT, while Gwinnett will look to force a Game Six back in Anchorage Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ADT. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where the games also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks. Tomorrow's game will be telecast live on GCI Channel 88 and the NHL Network, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play and John Carpenter serving as color analyst.
ECHL Stories from June 1, 2006
- Gladiators season ends in 4-3 loss to Aces in game 5 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Falcons Sign Thomas to New Five-year Deal - Fresno Falcons
- Crelin Named Coordinator Of Business Operations - ECHL
- NHL Network Will Televise Game Five Friday - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces fall to Gladiators 6-1; still lead Finals 3-1 - Alaska Aces
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.
