Aces Power Way to Opening Night 6-3 Win

Published on October 12, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


The Alaska Aces scored six special teams goals, including five on the power play and four unanswered in the third period, to come from behind and beat the Colorado Eagles 6-3 on opening night from the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, CO. The Aces improved to 8-1 all-time against the Eagles. The clubs continue opening weekend with a Saturday night rematch before the Aces return home to Sullivan Arena on October 19 and 20 to host the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets are currently on sale for both games. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

The Aces and Eagles opened the season with a fast-paced opening period that featured 21 combined shots, but the teams remained scoreless through the frame. The Aces outshot the Eagles 11-10.

The goals finally started to erupt in the second period. Alaska's Tommy Mele opened the scoring with a power play goal at 8:12 with a wrist shot from the slot to give the Aces a 1-0 lead. It was part of a three-point night for Mele in his ECHL debut. The Eagels responded quickly, however, and took the lead with a pair of back-to-back strikes. Joey Sides tied the score at 10:17, and Aaron Schneekloth tallied 39 seconds late to make it 2-1 Colorado. Aces defenseman William Wrenn scored a power play goal in his pro debut to tie the score at 2-2 at 16:24, but Norm Ezekiel answered with a goal in his pro debut as well at 18:36 to give Colorado a 3-2 lead at second intermission.

Trailing by a goal, the Aces dominated the third and took control of the game. Garry Nunn tied the score at 5:55 on a rebound during an Aces power play. Then at 7:31 Nick Mazzolini created a turnover and then converted his own rebound from the bottom of the right circle while shorthanded to reclaim Alaska's lead at 4-3. Joey Crabb finished the scoring with a pair of power play goals at 11:40 and 15:59 to complete the three-goal victory for the Aces.

James Reid (1-0) earned the win making 19 saves on 22 shots while Kyle Jones (0-1) suffered the loss, making 34 saves on 40 shots. The Aces went 5-8 on the power play and the Eagles went 0-5. Alaska outshot Colorado 40-23 in the game.

The Aces and Eagles continue opening weekend with a Saturday night rematch before the Aces return home to Sullivan Arena on October 19 and 20 to host the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets are currently on sale for both games. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

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ECHL Stories from October 12, 2012


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