Aces Lose First Ever to Stockton at Home
January 3, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - James Bates and Cory Urquhart each had a goal and an assist as Stockton claimed its first ever regulation victory at Sullivan Arena, beating Alaska 4-1 in front of a crowd of 4,941 Friday night.
The Aces entered the game 9-0-3 against the Thunder in Anchorage since 2005, but mustered just 10 shots on goal over the first two periods and were out-shot 34-20 for the game. Stockton (11-17-5), meanwhile, ended a six-game winless skid and earned its first win under new head coach Matt Thomas, who replaced Chris Cichocki two days before this series began with a 3-2 OT win by Alaska on Wednesday.
The Thunder out-shot the Aces 13-5 in the first period in that game and had a 13-4 spread in Friday's contest, but once again, had nothing to show for the effort, as the teams played to a scoreless tie. Igor Gongalsky scored just 2:02 into the second period, but Alaska quickly tied the game on a power play at 6:17 when Luke Erickson whacked his own rebound out of mid-air through the pads of Stockton starter Glenn Fisher.
Alaska had tied Wednesday's game in the final minute of the middle frame, but on Friday, the Thunder scored late in the second period to take control, as Urquhart found Bates in the slot for a one-timer and a 2-1 lead at the break. Urquhart extended the gap to 3-1 at 4:28 of the final stanzy by ripping a one-timer from the left circle over Aces goalie Marek Schwarz's glove, assisted by Ryan Huddy. Huddy and Bates set up the game's final goal with 2:48 left in regulation, scored by Justin Chwedoruk, who had been cut by Alaska during training camp in 2006.
The Aces and Thunder, who claimed outright victory for only the fourth time in 25 games between the two clubs, meet again tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m. Alaska (18-13-1 overall, 11-5 at home) has slipped nine points behind first-place Victoria and three points behind second-place Idaho in the West Divsion. Saturday's series finale will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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