Aces Hang On To Nip Condors 3-2

April 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska scored another key shorthanded goal to draw even late in the second period, then buried two in the third to grab a 2-0 series lead in the National Conference semi-finals with a 3-2 win over Bakersfield in front of 5,294 at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces dominated early, taking nine of the game's first 10 shots on goal, but fell behind when a wide-open Josh Liebenow took a pass at center ice from Andrew Ianiero and whipped a wrist shot past Alaska starter Derek Gustafson at 10:56 of the opening period. The Aces killed six Condor power plays in the second period and tied the game when Kimbi Daniels fed Patrick Wellar for the equalizer off the rush in a shorthanded situation with 4:59 left in the frame.

Deadlocked at 1-1 entering the third period, Alaska took its first lead when Julian Talbot flipped a backhander over Jamie Hodson with 18 minutes remaining. Ryan MacMurchy padded the margin to 3-1 with his second goal in as many games, another backhander on a rebound loose in front of a prostrate Hodson at the 11:26 mark. Reagan Leslie cut the gap to 3-2 with 2:13 still showing on the clock by going coast-to-coast and skating through a pair of Aces, but Gustafson (25 saves) and Alaska's defense withstood the extra attacker in the closing moments to preserve the victory.

The Aces look to gain a stranglehold in this best-of-seven series Friday in Bakersfield at 6:00 p.m. ADT. Alaska went 2-2 at Rabobank Arena this season, with all four meetings taking place in November and the Aces winning a pair of games by identical 6-1 scores.

Tickets for Game Six back at Sullivan Arena on May 3, if necessary, are on sale at the Aces office as well as online at www.alaskaaces.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or at participating Fred Meyer locations. All 2007 Kelly Cup playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, while all road contests will be simulcast on GCI Cable Channel 1. Friday night's coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. ADT, while Saturday's Game Four has been tentatively scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. ADT start.

#2 Alaska vs. #3 Bakersfield (Alaska leads series, 2-0)

Game 1: Alaska 6, Bakersfield 0

Game 2: Alaska 3, Bakersfield 2

Game 3: Alaska at Bakersfield Friday 6:00 p.m. AT

Game 4: Alaska at Bakersfield Saturday 7:00 p.m. AT

Game 5: Alaska at Bakersfield Apr. 30 6:00 p.m. AT*

Game 6: Bakersfield at Alaska May 3 7:15 p.m. AT*

Game 7: Bakersfield at Alaska May 4 7:15 p.m. AT*

*if necessary



ECHL Stories from April 26, 2007


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