Aces Kings of the Mountain After 5-1 Win
March 18, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
One night after their first ever loss to the Colorado Eagles, the Alaska Aces made sure that they took back control of the season series. The Aces erupted offensively with five different scorers on Saturday night at the Budweiser Event Center, en route to a 5-1 win to clinch the 2011-2012 Mountain Division title. The Aces improved to 41-16-9 on the season, climbing to 91 points remaining in first place in the overall league point race. The Aces won the division for the sixth time in franchise history. Alaska kept a four point lead over the Gwinnett for the league's highest point total. Alaska's lead over Ontario also stayed at five points, after the Reign's shootout win in Idaho. Alaska was eight points over Las Vegas at the close of their game, while Vegas was still in action against Bakersfield. The Aces will now continue their season-ending road trip with a key visit to Ontario next Friday and Saturday night. They will return back home for the postseason in April. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces came out quickly against Colorado, nabbing a pair of early goals to take early control of the game. Jordan Kremyr opened the scoring 1:57 into the game off a nice set up from rookie Tim Hall who registered his first pro point in his second career game. Alaska then made it 2-0 on a power play when Ryan Cruthers scored his first goal with Alaska on a rebound at 6:23. The Aces outshot the Eagles 8-6 in the period and took a 2-0 lead into the intermission break.
The offense continued for the Aces in the second period when Nick Mazzolini scored his 20th of the year at 7:04. The Aces then made it 4-0 on Zach Harrison's goal at 9:36. Following the goal, Harrison's momentum took him into Colorado netminder Kyle Jones, leading to a fight and an Eagle power play. Colorado converted on the man advantage when Kyle Peto scored at 11:32 to get the Eagles on the board. However, a power play goal from Dan Kissel at 14:10 gave Alaska a 5-1 lead after two periods.
The Aces held on for the 5-1 lead throughout the third period to secure the game and the Mountain Division title.
James Reid (5-1-1) earned the win, making 21 saves on 22 shots. Kyle Jones (28-14-4) suffered the loss, stopping 15 of 21 shots. The Aces power play went 2-5, while the Eagles went 1-3. The Aces were outshot by the Eagles 22-21 in the game.
The Aces will now continue their season-ending road trip with a key visit to Ontario next Friday and Saturday night. They will return back home for the postseason in April. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 18, 2012
- Thunder rally with four goals, including two by D'Alvise - Stockton Thunder
- Stockton Beats Utah 4-2: Grizzlies Split in California - Utah Grizzlies
- Express Battle Back to Force OT, Fall to Trenton 5-4 - Chicago Express
- Royals Fall to Florida, 4-2 - Reading Royals
- Jackals Clinch Playoff Spot After Edging Nailers - Elmira Jackals
- Back-And-Forth Battle Ends 4-3 for Bakersfield - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Kalamazoo Scores a Season-High Nine Goals to Rout Toledo 9-1 - Kalamazoo Wings
- How Sweep It Is Condors Win Third Straight, 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Titans Win in OT - Trenton Titans
- Success in Face-Off Circle Gives Wheeling a Point in Elmira - Wheeling Nailers
- Road Warriors Clinch Playoffs With Win - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Close Road Trip with 5-1 Loss in Greenville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Transactions - March 18 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Utah Grizzlies - Stockton Thunder
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspension - ECHL
- Brutlag Called up to AHL Norfolk - Atlanta Gladiators
- Royals Sign Defenseman Daniel Spivak - Reading Royals
- Bears Sign Goaltender Billy Sauer to Tryout Agreement - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Sign May - Toledo Walleye
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - March 18, 2012 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Preview: Express Vs. Trenton Today - Chicago Express
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Greenville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira Vs. Wheeling, Game 66 - Elmira Jackals
- ECHL Today - March 18 - ECHL
- 7,537 fans pile into Stockton Arena, teams combine for 91 penalty minutes - Stockton Thunder
- Grizzlies Clinch Playoff Berth with 5-2 Win in Stockton - Utah Grizzlies
- Condors Stay Alive, Beat Vegas 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Condors Outlast Wranglers, Win 4-3 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Reign Pass Franchise Record with 3-2 Shootout Win in Idaho - Ontario Reign
- Ontario Outlasts Idaho in Entertaining Affair - Idaho Steelheads
- Express Fall to Trenton 4-1 - Chicago Express
- Aces Kings of the Mountain After 5-1 Win - Alaska Aces
- Too Little, Too Late - Kalamazoo Wings
- Defending League Champs Claim Mountain Division Crown with 5-1 Win - Colorado Eagles
- Royals Strike Gold Again on St. Hattrick's Day, 4-3 - Reading Royals
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.
