Aces hold off Utah, 4-3, stay one point behind Vegas

Published on April 5, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Matt Shasby broke a 3-3 tie with a shorthanded goal midway through the third period, lifting Alaska to a 4-3 win over Utah before 5,736 at Sullivan Arena.

Alaska kept pace with Las Vegas, 4-2 winners at Long Beach Wednesday, and remains one point behind the Wranglers in the race for first overall in the ECHL with two games to play in the regular season. Alaska plays host to Utah Friday and Saturday night at 7:15 p.m., while Stockton, a team riding the crest of an 11-game winning streak, visits Las Vegas Friday and Saturday. If the teams finish in a tie, the Aces would claim the Brabham Cup by virtue of total wins. With its win over Utah, Alaska joins Trenton and Vegas as the only teams to eclipse 100 points in a single season over the 19-year history of the ECHL.

Alaska's 47th victory did not come easy Wednesday, as the Grizzlies, the last team to beat the Aces in Anchorage back on January 5, took a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals by D.J. Jelitto at 5:40 and Bill Kinkel at 19:28. Alaska killed a Utah power play to start the second period and out-shot the Grizzlies 28-4 over the final 35 minutes of regulation after being out-shot 20-7 in the first 25 minutes.

At 12:23 of the middle frame, Joe Talbot finally put the Aces on the board, roofing a wrist shot over Utah goalie Rob McVicar from the left circle after a Grizzlies turnover. Shasby drew Alaska even at 2-2 with five minutes left in the period, following his own rebound and flicking home a backhander. Matt Robinson gave the Aces their first lead at 4:16 of the final period, scoring his 19th goal of the year (six of which have come against Utah) through a screen after a face-off. Blake Robson tied the game at 3-3, beating Alaska starter Derek Gustafson (21 saves) off the rush, but the Grizzlies managed only one other shot on goal over the final 20 minutes. The winner came with Utah on the power play, as Mike Scott forced a turnover and set Olivier Filion loose on a two-on-one, with Filion finding Shasby back door at 10:57. Shasby's second goal of the game and 10th of the year kept the Aces unbeaten in their last 19 games at home (18-0-1).

As a result of the Ice Dogs having been eliminated from the postseason, Alaska will open defense of its 2006 Kelly Cup Monday and Tuesday at Sullivan Arena, with both games starting at 7:15 p.m., regardless of whether its opponent is Phoenix (who clinched the eighth and final National Conference spot tonight), Victoria, or Fresno. All regular season and playoff games are broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM. Tickets for the weekend contests against the Grizzlies as well as all playoff games are now available at participating Fred Meyer locations or by logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.

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