Aces Prevail In Opening Night Thriller

Published on October 17, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Rookie Jack Combs (pictured last year in the OHL), playing his first professional game, scored the tie-breaking goal with 56.3 seconds left to play before a frenzied crowd of 5,163 Friday at Sullivan Arena, giving Alaska a 2-1 decision over Victoria in the season opener for both clubs.

The Aces now have won six straight home openers and four of their last five overall, leaving them 7-7-1 in both categories over their 15 years as a professional club. Meanwhile, the Salmon Kings, who have never opened a season at home, have lost five of six games to open the year since entering the ECHL in 2004. The teams meet again Saturday night and Monday evening at 7:15 p.m.

The scoring also began with a rookie garnering his first professional goal, as Chris Morehouse took a pass from Alaska captain Scott Burt and whistled home a shorthanded goal at 9:43 of the first period. The Aces had lost only one game last year when leading after the first period, but Victoria captain Wes Goldie tied the contest five minutes into the second period, beating Alaska starter Sebastian Dahm with a wrist shot top shelf off the rush. The score remained that way until the final minute, when after a series of odd-man rushes for both clubs, Combs polished off a three-on-two by banging in a rebound off the post past 'Kings netminder John Murray.

Victoria pulled Murray (28 saves) in favor of the extra attacker, but Dahm's 30 saves proved enough to secure the ninth win for the Aces in their last 10 match-ups with the Salmon Kings at Sullivan Arena. Both teams went 0-for-6 on the power play.

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ECHL Stories from October 17, 2009


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