Aces Hold off Steelheads in 4-2 Win
October 21, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL) - Alaska Aces News Release
The Alaska Aces jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Idaho Steelheads charge for a 4-2 victory on Thursday night to remain perfect on the young season, and claim the first of a three-game set with Idaho. The Aces record improved to 3-0 this season. The Aces remain home on Friday and Saturday night to continue their three-game set with the Steelheads. 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.
Alaska flew out of the gates, opening the scoring 14 seconds into the contest. Tyler Rugesegger scored his first of two on the opening shift, and then added his second at 2:15 after goaltender Steve Christie turned the puck over while out of the net. Ruegsegger's second tally chased Christie from the game just 135 seconds in. It was the second straight game where the Aces prematurely ended the night of the opponent's starting goaltender. The Aces added to their lead against relief netminder, Jimmy Spratt. Garry Nunn scored at 8:41 to make it 3-0 Aces less than half a period into the contest. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 18-3 in the period.
Alaska had four first period power plays, and two more in the second, but could not add to their lead, and Idaho began to mount a comeback in the middle frame. Tristan King scored at 5:17 after an Aces defensive zone turnover, to make the score 3-1 Alaska.
In the third period, the Steelheads scored on a five-on-three power play when Ian Lowe put home a rebound from just outside the crease at 4:48. Later in the period, Idaho's Matt Case appeared to tie the game on a power play goal at 12:04, but the goal was waved off when referee TJ Luxmore ruled that Gerald Coleman had been interfered by David Fredriksson. The Aces retained their lead, and with time winding down Dan Kissel blistered a slapshot from the left circle past Spratt and into the top right corner at 15:37. The goal made it 4-2 Alaska, and completed the scoring.
Gerald Coleman (3-0) earned the win, making 16 saves on 18 shots, and Jimmy Spratt (1-2) made 33 saves on 35 shots as the goaltender of record. Steve Christie (0-0-0) did not figure into the decision, making 2 saves on 4 shots in the start. The Aces power played went 0-6, while the Steelheads went 1-3. Alaska outshot Idaho 39-18 in the game.
The Aces remain home on Friday and Saturday night to continue a three-game set with the Steelheads. 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.
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