Aces lose 7-4

Published on January 17, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Mike Barrie registered a hat trick as Bakersfield built a 5-1 lead early in the second period and held on for a 7-4 victory over Alaska before 4,583 Friday night at Centennial Garden.

A wild first period began with Bakersfield scoring first at 1:59 as Johan Astrom blasted a shot from the point that trickled just beyond the reach of Alaska starter Dan Murphy, who gave up three goals on the first seven shots he faced. With the Aces on the power play, Wes Dorey set up Shane Palahicky for a point-blank one-timer that tied the contest at 4:23, only Alaska's sixth conversion in its last 75 attempts. Paul Rosebush scored off the rush midway through the period to regain the lead for the Condors at 2-1, and Andrew Ianiero pushed the margin to 3-1 as Bakersfield's 31st-ranked power play capitalized with 6:44 left in the opening frame.

What had been a chippy game already raged out of control less than three minutes later, as punches were exchanged between players on the ice and players on both benches. Kimbi Daniels and Mike Jones were ejected for Alaska, Jon Mirasty and Jani Virtanen for Bakersfield. Aces coach Davis Payne and Bakersfield chief Paul Kelly engaged in a screaming match while perched on their respective benches. The players were sent to the locker rooms with 4:08 left in the first period, with the balance of the frame made up after an unscheduled intermission.

Murphy departed at that point, having surrendered three goals on 10 shots, but his replacement, Lance Mayes, did not fare much better, allowing two goals in an 18-second span to start the second period, the first two shots he faced. Ianiero scored his second of the night just 55 seconds into the frame shorthanded, and Mike Barrie followed with his first in a Condor jersey at 1:13, and suddenly the score stood at 5-1. Jordan Cameron scored Alaska's second power play goal of the night with 5:36 left in the middle frame bring the Aces within three goals heading into the final stanza.

Barrie ended the competitive phase of the game with two goals in 66 seconds to begin the third period at 6:19 and 7:25, respectively, to give the Condors a commanding 7-2 bulge. Alaska defenseman Ryan Moren lashed a one-timer by Bakersfield goaltender Shane Bendera for his first goal of the year at 10:56, and Joe Talbot's one-timer four minutes later wrapped up the scoring and gave him his 18th goal of the year, tied for the team lead with Mike Scott.

Alaska (22-12-3) has lost two in a row for only the third time all year and now faces the four-hour bus ride down to San Diego (21-10-3) for the first of two more games against the Gulls tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. AST. The Aces took two of three from San Diego, 4-2 losers in Fresno Friday night, last weekend in Anchorage. Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.

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ECHL Stories from January 17, 2004


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