Aces finish 4-1-0 in five game series, nearly rally in final minute

Published on February 14, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Greg Miller's power play goal in the third period was enough to hold off the Alaska Aces (31-12-3, 65 points), who fell in a 4-3 defeat to the Stockton Thunder in a five-game series finale on Thursday at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces, who maintained the top record in the ECHL, surrendered three power play goals to the top power play unit in the ECHL, despite a rally in the final minutes of regulation. Brett Findlay, Evan Trupp and Peter Sivak each chipped in with a goal. Brian Foster skated away with the win on 34 saves.

Findlay broke the scoreless tie with 5.4 seconds left in the first period, converting successively brilliant feeds from Turner Elson (backhanded saucer pass from the right circle) and an initial set-up by Drew MacKenzie.

Stockton responded with three goals in the second period and two on the power play. Mitch Bruijsten's sixth goal of the season, past the blocker of Gerald Coleman, tied the game at 1-1 just 3:25 into the second period.

Nick Larson then stashed a wrist shot under the crossbar, from the between the circles, with 8:17 left in the second period to give Stockton their first lead. Trupp answered with 1:43 left in the period, finishing Mathew Sisca's set-up at the right circle with a wrister that trickled off Foster's glove.

A late penalty put the Aces behind by the end of the period. Following a failed clearing attempt, Ryan Constant drove a shot on net from the blueline that caused a scramble for the rebound. Joey Martin stashed the puck with just 4.4 seconds left for a 3-2 edge.

Another early penalty in the third period put the Aces in a 4-2 hole on Miller's power play goal at 3:23 - a redirection at the goal mouth which was set up by Martin. The Aces showed life on another masterful finish by Sivak, his 19 th goal of the season, following a giveaway by Stockton in their own zone.

Connolly swiped the puck, feeding Mazzolini on a cross-ice pass at the left circle. Mazzolini swiftly returned to the feed to the right post, where Sivak finished to cut the deficit to one goal.

The Aces continued with heavy offensive zone pressure and earned a terrific look at the net with 20 seconds left and Coleman pulled for an extra skater. Brad Richard fired a rocket backdoor pass from the blueline onto the tape of Mazzolini, positioned at the left post. But Foster slid over in time to stop Mazzolini's redirection.

Coleman took the loss on 21 saves.

NOTES: The Aces scratched James Martin, Corey Syvret, Tim Coffman, Ross Ring-Jarvi, Ben Parker, Jordan Kremyr, Eli Zuck and David Eddy ... the loss to Stockton for the Aces was their first in regulation, at Sullivan Arena in regular season play since the 2010-11 season (breaking a 13-0-0 streak) ... the top line of Mazzolini, Connolly and Sivak finished the series with 29 points in five games ... the Aces outshot Stockton, 37-25.

The Aces return to play on Saturday, visiting the Ontario Reign at 5:00 p.m. (GCI/KFQD) at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

Three Stars:

1. STK - G. Miller

2. STK - J. Martin

3. STK - R. Constant

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