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Aces Inching Closer to Fifth

March 3, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – After a solid beginning to their 10-game homestand, the Anchorage Aces can climb out of the WCHL cellar with a three-game sweep of Long Beach this weekend. The club will hold practice at 9:30 a.m. throughout the week at Sullivan Arena.

Anchorage notched a pair of 5-4 victories over Fresno and Bakersfield in between a last-minute shootout loss Tuesday and an 8-3 defeat Saturday. Wednesday night, Kimbi Daniels scored the game-winner on a breakaway with 8:38 remaining to derail the Falcons. Two days later, the Aces scored twice in a 38-second span to turn a 4-3 deficit into a stunning 5-4 win. Kevin McNeill scored his second of the night (and eighth in eight games) to tie the contest midway through the third period, and Dean Larson banged home a rebound shortly thereafter to provide the margin of victory.

Anchorage (15-41-3 overall) is 3-2-1 since Perry Florio took over the head coaching reins February 20, moving within five points of fifth-place Long Beach, which invades Sullivan Arena for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and continuing Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 5:00 p.m. While the Aces have been on the upswing, the Ice Dogs have just one win in their last 10 games and six in their previous 37. Head-to-head, however, Anchorage will be eager for redemption, having managed just one victory in nine tries against Long Beach this season.

All games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.anchorageaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.

LEAGUE LEADERS

Points Goals Assists Shooting %

*Dean Larson, 71 (1st) *Yvan Corbin, 37 (1st) Dean Larson, 46 (3rd) Kevin McNeill, 22.6 (2nd)

Yvan Corbin, 70 (2nd) Dean Larson, 25 (6th) Kimbi Daniels, 34 (T-8th)

Kimbi Daniels, 50 (17th) Yvan Corbin, 33 (T-11th)

PROMOTIONS/SCHOOLS

Event coordinator Jessica Delich will be speaking as part of "Career Day" at Mears Middle School tomorrow from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Anchorage defenseman Tim Donnelly will be appearing at Trailside Elementary as part of the school's "Read-in Day" program, courtesy of 1st Alaska Mortgage, Donnelly's primary sponsor. He will read to children in various classrooms from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

The club will be holding its weekly luncheon Friday at Wayne's Texas BBQ at 36th & C in downtown Anchorage. The luncheons run from 12:45-2:00 p.m. and are open to the media and 50 members of the public, with a nominal charge of $10 per person, which covers the actual lunch. Each member of the public will be eligible for door prizes to be given away at 2:00 after both coaches (Florio and Long Beach's Kevin Kaminski) have spoken. All interested parties are asked to RSVP through Brigitte Brakke at 258-2237 or brigitte@anchorageaces.com.

The first 500 kids age 14 & under will receive a Boomer Bobblehead at Friday night's game vs. Long Beach, courtesy of Subway. Sunday marks the final chance for fans to participate with the Aces in a post-game skate during the 2002-03 season.

The Aces, along with Barnes & Noble and Guardian Security, enjoyed another successful night with the Anchorage School District during last Saturday's game against Bakersfield. $100 gift certificates from Barnes & Noble were presented to the four schools with the best attendance on that evening—Tudor, Chinook, and Aurora Elementary, and Hanshew Middle School.

GUNS & HOSES

Anchorage will be holding its third annual "Guns & Hoses" game prior to the Aces' Saturday tilt with the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The "Guns & Hoses" game, which matches the Anchorage Fire Department with the Anchorage Police Department, has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with the Aces' game to follow at 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at your local fire station or the APD. Admission is free to the "Guns & Hoses" game with a paid admission to that night's Aces-Ice Dogs contest, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association. Last year, the "Guns & Hoses" game drew more than 2,500 fans to Sullivan Arena and helped raise more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross. For more information regarding tickets, appearances, or upcoming games, please call (907) 258-ACES.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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