Aces outlast Condors, 3-2, in nine-round shootout
March 3, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Derek Gustafson stopped 31 shots in regulation, then turned eight of nine Bakersfield attempts in the shootout aside as Alaska ran its home winning streak to 13 games with a 3-2 heart-stopper in front of 5,630 Friday at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces, finally rested after a two-week road trip wrapped up last weekend, came out firing in the first period, peppering Condors goalie Jamie Hodson with 19 shots and grabbing a 1-0 lead on Olivier Filion's third goal in as many games, on a rebound at 13:55. Bakersfield needed just 36 seconds to tie the game, as Sean Venedam found Andrew Ianiero from behind the net and watched as Ianiero popped a shot over Gustafson's shoulder for the equalizer. Matt Shasby regained the lead for Alaska at 2-1 with his seventh goal of the year at 16:54, a re-direction of a well-conceived pass from between the circles by Joe Talbot.
The three goals in a span of 2:59 proved to be all the scoring for the next 40 minutes as the game settled into a duel between Gustafson, who had lost all three of his previous starts against the Condors, and Hodson, who finished with 41 saves. Finally, with 3:44 remaining, Venedam deadlocked the contest again with a wrist shot that appeared to be tipped on its way through the five-hole of a beaten Gustafson. After a scoreless overtime, including a failed Aces power play, Matt Robinson opened the shootout with a goal for Alaska, only to be answered in the fourth round by 36-year-old Kevin St. Jacques. Steven Later provided the game-winner in the ninth round with a backhander over the right pad of Hodson.
The Aces, who have won five straight overall and are a league-best 40-13-3 on the year, and Condors face one another twice more, tomorrow at 7:15 on U.S. Army night and Sunday at 5:05, featuring a special post-game "Skate with the Aces," presented by Fred Meyer. Tickets for tomorrow's game are now available at participating Fred Meyer locations, by calling 258-ACES, or logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.
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