Aces Open Military Weekend Friday Vs. Stockton
December 10, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Alaska Aces (11-9-2) vs. Stockton Thunder (7-11-3)
On the Upswing:
Both teams have renewed confidence entering this series; Alaska recorded its third blowout win in its last four games last Friday with a 6-1 rout of West Division leader Utah, while Stockton ended a slump that had seen the club win just once in 11 games with a pair of overtime victories over Pacific Division leader Bakersfield. The Aces blasted the Steelheads behind a four-point night from Eric Boguniecki (who finished +5) and 25 saves by goalie Sebastian Dahm. John Lammers and Nick Mazzolini each scored twice in a game that saw Alaska out-shoot its opponent for only the third time in 22 games this season and register a season-high 17 shots on goal in a first period that resulted in a 3-0 lead.
Tearing Up the Pea Patch:
The line of Mazzolini, Lammers, and Boguniecki accounted for two wins in Utah two weeks ago and demolished Idaho last Friday. In their four games together, all three players have racked up 10 points; Mazzolini has six goals and four assists (including his first pro hat trick Nov. 28), Lammers has five goals and five helpers and was runner-up for ECHL Player of the Week honors two weeks ago, and Boguniecki has scored twice and assisted on eight other goals.
Head-to-Head:
Matt Thomas went 13-3-1 in his first 17 games as Stockton's head coach last season, including 5-0-1 against Alaska. After completely dominating this series over the first three years (two losses in 22 games), the Aces stumbled badly against the Thunder last season, winning just one of seven head-to-head match-ups (1-4-2). Stockton did not beat Alaska in the first eight meetings and lost 11 of the first 12.
With a pair of wins this year, Alaska owns a record of 19-6-6 against Stockton (9-1-4 in Anchorage). Ryan Turek's backhander slipped over the goal line an eyelash before time expired in OT Nov. 6, when the Aces prevailed 4-3. Matt Stefanishion scored twice and had an assist in that game, while Mazzolini had a pair of helpers in his pro debut. Alaska blew a 4-1 lead against the Thunder the next night but still managed to squeeze out a 5-4 shootout victory as Colin Hemingway scored twice. Hemingway has not played since Nov. 27 and likely will miss tonight's game.
Friday and Saturday night's games start at 7:15 p.m., with the Sunday finale beginning at 5:05 p.m. All three games will be broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM.
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