Aces Pull off Incredible Comeback in 4-3 Shootout Win
January 10, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
The Alaska Aces scored three goals in 6:36 late in the second period to erase a three-goal deficit and outlasted the Ontario Reign through six rounds of a shootout for a wild 4-3 comeback win at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night. The Aces extended their point streak to 12 games (11-0-1), their home winning streak to seven games, and their league-best record to 29-8-1 record. Alaska and Ontario played their fourth one-goal game and third overtime contest in four meetings this season. The Aces and Reign remain in Alaska for games on Friday, and Saturday. Tickets are on sale now at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena box office, Fred Meyer Locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. 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 allowed the first goal late in the opening period, snapping a stretch of ten straight games where they had scored first. A defensive zone turnover led to a goalmouth scramble and C.J. Stretch poked the puck from the crease into the goal at 18:45 to give Ontario a 1-0 lead. The goal marked the end of a stretch of 683:01 without Alaska trailing. Before the goal, Alaska had not played from behind since the first period of Dec. 14th. The Reign outshot the Aces 10-4 in the period.
Ontario added to their advantage early in the second period when Brady Calla scored on a redirection at 1:01 of the second period. Kyle Kraemer then scored at 12:41 of the second to make it 3-0 Ontario. With the Aces trailing big, they immediately seized the momentum and started the late flurry. 24 seconds after Ontario's third goal, Alex Imbeault converted an odd-man rush to get Alaska on the board. Minutes later on an Aces power play, Merit Waldrop scored his first goal since March of 2010 when he crashed the net and a Bobby Hughes shot deflected off of Waldrop at 15:18. In the final minute of the frame, Hughes stole the puck from Ontario's Colton Yellow Horn and scored from the slot at 19:41 to pull the Aces even. Hughes tallied his third point of the night on the goal.
Neither team scored in the third period, but both generate chances with the Aces outshooting Ontario 12-11. After a scoreless overtime, the clubs went to a shootout, and for the second time in three games, they went to sudden death. Both teams converted three of their first five chances, and went to a sixth round. After Gerald Coleman stopped Chris Huxley, Jarred Smith's shot banked off the bottom of the crossbar, then the back of Ontario netminder Dustin Carlson's left leg, and rolled into the net giving the Aces the improbable come from behind win.
Prior to the game, Alaska activated captain Steve Ward who returned to the lineup after missing 33 straight games due to injury.
Gerald Coleman (14-2) earned the win, making 29 saves on 32 shots and stopping three of six shooters. Dustin Carlson (0-0-1) made 23 saves on 26 shots and stopped two of six shooters in the shootout loss. The Aces went 1-5 on the power play and the Reign were 0-3. Alaska was outshot by Ontario 32-27 in the game.
The Aces and Reign remain in Alaska for games on Friday, and Saturday. Tickets are on sale now at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena box office, Fred Meyer Locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. 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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