Aces Fall to Thunder 4-3 in Shootout
March 4, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Shane Owen made 20 saves in his Alaska Aces debut, and the Aces trailed for only 59 seconds of the game, but the Stockton Thunder outlasted Alaska for a 4-3 shootout win in the final meeting of the season between the clubs on Sunday afternoon. Alaska lifted their lead in the Western Conference to four points over Las Vegas and five points over Ontario who were both idle on Sunday. Alaska moved to 37-15-9, on the season. The Aces now return to Alaska for their final two home games of the season on Mar. 9th and 10th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces and Thunder traded goals throughout the opening period, playing to a 20 minute standstill. Alaska got on the board first when Blair Yaworski tipped a shot at the top of the creased that just snuck through the pads of Stockton goaltender Thomas Heemskerk at 6:52. The Thunder evened the scored at 12:06 when Mike Little scored on a shot from the high slot after a couple of failed clearing attempts by Alaska. Stockton then took their first lead at 2-1 when Jesse Fratkin scored on a power play at 17:52. However, just 59 seconds later Brian Swanson scored after a goal mouth scramble to even the score 2-2 after the first period. The Aces outshot the Thunder 12-9 in the frame.
The Aces regained the lead in the second period when Nick Mazzolini scored his 19th goal of the season at 6:02 of the period to make it 3-2 Alaska. That score remained until late in the second period when a bad Aces turnover led to a scramble in front of the Aces net. Max Campbell finished off the flurry with a goal at 17:02 to tie the score at 3-3 after two periods. The Thunder outshot the Aces 12-11 in the period.
The Aces outshot the Thunder 13-2 in the third period, but could not find the go-ahead goal. Following a scoreless third period and overtime, the game went to a shootout. Stockton converted two of their five chances, while Alaska was blanked on their four chances.
Shane Owen (7-8-5) took the shootout loss in his Aces debut, making 20 saves on 23 shots. Thomas Heemskerk (11-7) earned the win, stopping 35 of 38 shots. The Aces power play went 0-4, while the Thunder went 1-2. The Aces outshot the Thunder 38-24 in the game.
The Aces now return to Alaska for their final two home games of the season on Mar. 9th and 10th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
ECHL Stories from March 4, 2012
- Thunder gives head coach Matt Thomas career win #300 in shootout thriller - Stockton Thunder
- Aces Fall to Thunder 4-3 in Shootout - Alaska Aces
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- Gladiators Back in First with Three Goal Comeback in 5-4 win over Trenton - Atlanta Gladiators
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- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Alaska Aces - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Transactions - March 4 - ECHL
- Edmonton Recalls Goaltender Olivier Roy from Thunder to Oklahoma City - Stockton Thunder
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- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
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- ECHL Today - March 4 - ECHL
- Season high crowd of 9,398 enjoys Roy's record breaking shutout effort - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Shutout Aces 4-0 - Alaska Aces
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- Reign Sweep Grizzlies at Home 5-1 - Ontario Reign
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