Aces lose 2-1 in OT to Vegas, conference lead shrinks to three points
March 31, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
LAS VEGAS - Tyler Mosienko scored just nine seconds into overtime Friday night at the Orleans Arena, giving Las Vegas a 2-1 win over Alaska in front of 5,957.
The Aces (46-15-7) have won just one of their last six games but have earned points in four of those contests, all of which have been played on the road. Alaska has lost its last three games that have needed extra time to decide the issue, dropping shootouts at Long Beach March 17 and Idaho March 23 in addition to Friday's game, which marked the first time in five games against Vegas this year that the Aces earned at least a point. Alaska owns a three-point edge over the Wranglers in the race for the league's best overall record, but Las Vegas still enjoys a game in hand.
After a scoreless first period in which the Wranglers out-shot the Aces 10-7, Alaska had an opportunity to take the lead midway through the second period when a cross-check and a double minor for high-sticking left the visitors with a two-man advantage. But Las Vegas, ranked in the middle of the ECHL pack in penalty killing, stuffed the Aces second-ranked power play unit, with Wranglers goaltender Mike McKenna, who finished with 30 saves, turning aside all 17 shots he faced in the second period and keeping the contest locked in a 0-0 tie.
Alaska had not played a game all year that had been scoreless through two periods, and early in the third, Vegas seemed to gain the upper hand firing nine of the third period's first 10 shots on net. The Wranglers finally broke through on a drive from the point by Aaron Power that sailed past a screened Derek Gustafson (37 saves) with 7:30 left in regulation. However, the Aces immediately went on another power play and this time converted, as Joe Talbot took a pass from his younger brother Julian and one-timed it home for the equalizer with 5:28 remaining, his 24th goal of the year and first since March 10.
Talbot's goal forced overtime, where the eventual game-winner was deflected in by Mosienko after a centering pass from Las Vegas defenseman Jason Krischuk, an Anchorage native. The Aces and Wranglers meet again tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. ADT before Alaska returns home for its final regular season games at Sullivan Arena against Utah, beginning April 4 at 7:15 p.m. Tickets for the games against the Grizzlies as well as the 2007 Kelly Cup playoffs are now available at participating Fred Meyer locations or by logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.
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