Aces in playoffs after 2-1 win
Published on March 17, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ROANOKE, Va. â Lance Mayes turned in a season-high 39 saves as Alaska clinched the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with a 2-1 shootout victory over Roanoke Wednesday before 2,742 at the Roanoke Civic Center.
For the second straight night, the Aces fell behind in the opening period, as Roanoke scored the game's first goal off the rush at 9:17, as Carl Mallette zipped a snap shot from the left circle past Mayes top shelf. Mayes, however, stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced over the first 20 minutes, and the Aces headed into the locker room trailing just 1-0.
Kimbi Daniels tied the game just 5:22 into the second period, chipping the puck over Roanoke starter Jason Wolfe after a perfect feed from Chris Lipsett, who had missed Tuesday's loss in South Carolina with the flu but recovered in time to face his old team. Mayes stopped all 13 shots that came his way in the middle frame while Alaska's 3rd-ranked penalty kill continued to shine, erasing all five Roanoke opportunities through two periods.
The third period and overtime saw considerably less scoring chances for the both teams, and as the Aces headed into a shootout, they knew the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division had been secured by virtue of the 1-1 tie after 60 minutes. Mayes made sure Alaska would not back into the postseason, however, stopping all four attempts by the Express in the extra session after finishing with 39 saves in regulation while Mark Smith and Lipsett (who had been 0-for-6 in shootouts) scored to seal the victory.
Alaska (33-26-4) snapped its three-game losing streak and the road and will enjoy Thursday off before its rematch with South Carolina Friday at 3:30 p.m. AST. The Stingrays defeated the Aces 4-1 Tuesday night in North Charleston despite getting outshot 33-29. The contest will be broadcast live on KHAR 590 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Weekend games against Charlotte on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. AST and Sunday against Greenville at 11:00 a.m. AST return to the flagship station of the Aces, KFQD 750 AM. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
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