Aces one win shy of conference finals
April 28, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Kevin Croxton scored the game's only goal at 3:10 of overtime, giving Alaska a 1-0 victory and a 3-0 stranglehold in its best-of-seven series against Bakersfield on Friday night before 6,097 at Rabobank Arena.
Amazingly, the Condors fired the game's first 16 shots on goal in the first period, out-shooting the Aces 18-4 while not giving up a shot until the contest was more than 15 minutes old. But Derek Gustafson withstood the early pressure, eventually finishing his night's work with a playoff-high 44 saves. Alaska killed nine more Bakersfield power plays in regulation, extending its streak to 25 against the Condors over the first three games of this National Conference semi-final.
The Aces were out-shot 12-7 in the third period and 42-22 in regulation, but still had two excellent chances to score in the final five minutes, only to see Bakersfield starter Rejean Beauchemin stop Olivier Filion and Croxton on point blank chances. Finally, after a David Kudelka hooking penalty put Alaska on the power play, Filion won a face-off back to Mike Scott, whose slap shot caromed off Beauchemin's pads directly to Croxton, who tucked home his third goal of the playoffs to bring the Aces within one win of their third straight trip to the National Conference finals. Alaska can close out the series tomorrow night; if the Condors win, Game Five would be held in Bakersfield on Monday at 6:00 p.m. ADT. The Aces are now 9-3 in overtime under head coach Davis Payne.
All 2007 Kelly Cup playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, while all road contests will be simulcast on GCI Cable Channel 1. Tomorrow night's coverage has been tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. ADT, but listeners and viewers have been advised that Game Four's starting time of 7:00 p.m. ADT may be pushed back as a result of graduation ceremonies taking place at Rabobank Arena earlier in the day.
#2 Alaska vs. #3 Bakersfield (Alaska leads series, 3-0)
Game 1: Alaska 6, Bakersfield 0
Game 2: Alaska 3, Bakersfield 2
Game 3: Alaska 1, Bakersfield 0 (OT)
Game 4: Alaska at Bakersfield, tomorrow, 7:00 p.m. AT
Game 5: Alaska at Bakersfield, Mon. Apr. 30 6:00 p.m. AT*
Game 6: Bakersfield at Alaska, Thu. May 3 7:15 p.m. AT*
Game 7: Bakersfield at Alaska, Fri. May 4 7:15 p.m. AT*
*if necessary
ECHL Stories from April 28, 2007
- Wildcatters Even Series at Two as Yeats Makes 34 saves in 3-1 WIN - Texas Wildcatters
- 'Blades fall 3-1 to Texas in Game 4; Series tied 2-2 - Florida Everblades
- Daoust To The Rescue! Cyclones Win 5-3 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Condors Playoff Game Preview - Bakersfield Condors
- Blades lose Brine to AHL - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Stockton, Florida Have ECHL's Highest Attendance Since 2000-01 - ECHL
- Aces one win shy of conference finals - Alaska Aces
- Aces Steal One From Condors in Overtime, 1-0 - Bakersfield Condors
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.
