Aces, Ontario split two game series in Southern California

February 17, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ONTARIO, Calif. - Tyler Gron scored two goals and added an assist and the Ontario Reign held off a rally in the third period to defeat the Alaska Aces (32-13-3, 67 points), 4-2 before a crowd of 8,492 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Sunday.

The Aces split a two game series in Ontario and despite taking the loss, also received offensive contributions from Tyler Mosienko and Turner Elson, who picked up their first goals in an Aces uniform.

Jussi Olkinuora made 29 saves and had to turn away 12 shots in the third period to preserve the victory.

Mosienko's power play goal at 5:29 of the first period the Aces ahead, 1-0 when he converted a give-and-go by Evan Trupp in the slot. Just 2:44 later, Chris Crane cleaned up a rebound in the paint and Ontario tied the game, responding with a power play goal.

Gron's first goal of the day put the Aces in a 2-1 hole with 8:06 left in the period when he swiped Zach McKelvie's clearing attempt and beat Alex Kangas from the slot. Maxim Kitsyn followed in the second period by stashing a loose puck, which also deflected off Brad Richard's skate, for a 3-1 lead with 12:59 remaining.

Just 29 seconds later, Ontario continued their rally with four unanswered goals and Gron's second of the game for a 4-1 edge. Gron took Cameron Burt's feed off the rush and snuck a backhander past Kangas' blocker from the left circle.

The Aces responded by outshooting Ontario, 13-3 in the final period and earned a good look at the net early on, but Olkinuora turned away Andy Taranto's re-direction at the goal mouth.

Brett Findlay pounced on an Ontario defensive zone giveaway and fed Elson at the right circle, who smashed a one-timer under the crossbar at 5:02 of the third period, chopping the deficit to 4-2.

Mathew Sisca missed an open net bid in a loose puck battle with Sacha Guimond several shifts later, and the Aces squandered a two-man advantage situation just 13 seconds after losing an offensive zone face-off and Peter Sivak was called for interference.

Kangas, making his first start since Jan. 4, took the loss with 18 saves.

NOTES: The Aces scratched James Martin, Corey Syvret, Tim Coffman, Ross Ring-Jarvi, Ben Parker, Jordan Kremyr, Eli Zuck, Brendan Connolly and David Eddy ... the Aces were outshot 14-8 in the first period but took the overall shots on goal total, 31-22 ... Peter Sivak (seven games, goals) and Nick Mazzolini (eight games, points) had individual offensive streaks come to an end.

The Aces wrap up the three game road trip tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. (KFQD), visiting the Bakersfield Condors. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or

Three Stars:

1. ONT - T. Gron

2. ONT - C. Crane

3. ONT - M. Kitsyn



ECHL Stories from February 17, 2014


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.

OurSports Central