Aces Nip Wranglers In Thriller, 2-1 In Shootout
February 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - In a tense, exciting match between two of the premier ECHL clubs over the last five years, Alaska out-lasted Las Vegas 2-1 in a shootout before 5,463 Friday at Sullivan Arena.
Both clubs came out flying from the opening face-off, and through 12 minutes of near-perfect defensive hockey, they combined for four shots on goal. The Wranglers struck first, as Bruce Mulherin tipped in a shot from the point by Jason Krischuk with 1:54 left in the opening period.
The Aces out-shot the visitors 10-7 in the first 20 minutes and 15-7 in the second, but failed to break through against Las Vegas (and ECHL All-Star) goaltender Daniel Manzato until 5:18 remained in the middle frame, when Matt Robinson flicked home a backhander on a rebound for his 14th goal of the season. Alaska starter Marek Schwarz preserved the 1-1 tie through a third period in which the Wranglers out-shot the Aces 11-4. Alaska had five of the six shots on goal taken in overtime, including a breakaway for Robinson, but Manzato ensured the contest would head into a shootout.
Robinson and Josh Soares scored in the first two rounds of the shootout for the Aces, but Aki Seitsonen and Josh Sciba countered for Las Vegas, which finally bowed in the seventh round when Michael Lambert beat Manzato with a backhander top shelf after Schwarz had stuffed Kelly Czuy. Alaska has won five of its six shootouts this season and now stands at 26-19-5 overall, in the midst of a season-best five-game winning streak. Meanwhile the Wranglers still have just two regulation defeats in their last 14 games and own a 14-point lead in the Pacific Division, while the Aces remain in fourth place in the West.
Tomorrow night's rematch between Alaska and Las Vegas will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD, at 7:15 p.m. and re-broadcast Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. on GCI Cable Channel 1. Sunday's series finale begins at 5:05 p.m. and features a post-game "Skate with the Aces," presented by Fred Meyer. All regular season games are broadcast live on KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to face-off.
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