Aces nip 'Runners, 2-1
March 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Chris Beckford-Tseu stopped 27 shots and came within 69 seconds of his second shutout in three starts before settling for a 2-1 win over the Phoenix Roadrunners before 4,199 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena.
With the victory, Alaska's ninth in its last 10 games at home, the Aces stayed just two points out of the West Division lead, now held solely by Victoria after the Salmon Kings scored with 51 seconds left in regulation to beat Stockton 7-6. Alaska (39-23-5) has drawn even with Idaho, and has five games left on its schedule as compared to four for the Steelheads and six for the 'Kings.
The Aces and Roadrunners played a scoreless first period, with the home team enjoying a 14-9 advantage in shots on goal. Josh Soares finally snapped the 0-0 tie midway through the second period, taking a pass from Matt Shasby and rifling home his 34th goal of the year at 10:10. Soares has goals in seven of his last eight games and ranks third in the ECHL in scoring with 79 points. With Alaska on the power play late in the period, Corbin Schmidt's drive from the point glanced off Michael Lambert's skate and trickled past Phoenix goalie Taylor Dakers at 18:48 to give the Aces a 2-0 edge and end a run of 31 straight penalty kills for the visitors.
The 'Runners out-shot Alaska 11-3 over the final 20 minutes and finally got on the board when Sean O'Connor re-directed an Ian Turner shot past Beckford-Tseu with 1:09 left in regulation. A Peter Metcalf roughing penalty gave Phoenix a power play for the remainder of the contest, but the visitors failed to pick up the equalizer. The Aces own an 8-1 record against the Roadrunners in Anchorage and are 15-3-1 overall since the 2005-06 season.
Alaska practices tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. before finishing up its home schedule with two more tilts against Phoenix (22-36-9) Friday and Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. ADT in Sullivan Arena. Both games will be broadcast live on AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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