Sports stats



Aces Lose In Overtime

January 25, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Brendan Connolly and Chris Francis combined for four goals and six points to lift the Alaska Aces out of a three goal deficit, but Wade MacLeod's game-winner at 3:11 helped the Idaho Steelheads skate by, 5-4 in overtime before 4,826 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.

Francis posted back-to-back goals and Connolly tied the game on a two-man advantage with 1:46 left in regulation, marking the fourth time the Aces have rallied to force overtime when trailing after two periods. MacLeod had two goals and two assists, one of three Steelheads to register a multi point game.

Idaho converted goals on their first two shots and forced the Aces to burn their timeout just 3:49 into the game, trailing 2-0. MacLeod converted a two-on-one at the left circle just 57 seconds into the game and Brett Robinson finished MacLeod's centering pass from behind the net with 16:11 remaining.

The Aces stabilized their game on several shifts and drew to within a goal on Connolly's power play goal at 10:07, a slapshot blistered from the right circle past the blocker of Olivier Roy. But David deKastrozza's power play marker restored Idaho's lead to 3-1 on a screen for Matt Case's point shot with 3:09 to play.

Dahl won a loose puck battle at the net and his fourth goal of the season put Idaho up 4-1 with 5:05 left in the second period, but the Aces proceeded to chip away. Francis finished off Connolly's gorgeous flip pass off the rush 58 seconds later, drawing the Aces to within two.

Francis then buried his second of the game at 8:16 of the third period, energizing the rally with another power play goal at the goal mouth for a 4-3 deficit. Newcomer Scott Warner, former UAA defenseman and making his Aces debut, snuck a low shot through traffic that caromed off Roy's pads and onto Francis' stick.

Colten Beck took a holding penalty and Alex Belzile was handed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for disputing the call with 2:46 left in regulation, opening the door with a five-on-three advantage. The Aces maneuvered the puck around the perimeter, eventually finding Brad Cole open at the left point. His shot ricocheted to Connolly, stationed at the right circle, who beat Roy under the crossbar to electrify Sullivan Arena for a 4-4 tie.

Ryan Walters broke into the Idaho zone with 15 seconds left and nearly rifled a game-winner, but Roy squeezed his wrist shot from between the circles to force overtime. Then after Cole's tripping penalty in the Aces zone, Beck slid a pass to Wade MacLeod, finishing the game with a one-timer from the right point.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from January 25, 2015


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.

Other Recent Alaska Aces Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central