Aces Push Grizz to Brink with 5-2 Win
Published on April 17, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Josh Soares scored twice and assisted on another goal as Alaska rolled to a 5-2 win over Utah in front of 5,692 at the 'E' Center.
The Aces lead the best-of-seven West Division semi-finals three games to one and can advance to the second round for a record sixth consecutive year by beating the Grizzlies tomorrow night at 5:05 p.m. AT. If Utah wins and forces a Game Six, the series would shift back to Anchorage Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Game Seven, if necessary would be played at Sullivan Arena Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
For the fourth consecutive game, Alaska struck first, as defenseman Tyson Marsh, playing just his second game for the Glacier Blue, whipped a rebound off the dasherboards past Grizzlies starter Mike Mole at 8:14. Soares followed up a Brett Hemingway shot 80 seconds later to extend the lead to 2-0.
With 10:26 still remaining in the first period, Utah head coach Kevin Colley called time-out, and 53 seconds later, his club responded, as James Sixsmith found a streaking Vladimir Nikiforov all alone behind the Alaska defense. Nikiforov beat J.P. Lamoureux on the breakaway to cut the gap in half. However, in the final minute of the opening frame, Cam Keith found Soares in the slot for the latter's second goal of the night and a 3-1 margin at intermission.
The Aces have scored just twice in 20 power play opportunities in the first four games of this series, but the second of those spread the lead to 4-1 with 5:40 left in the middle frame, as Lance Galbraith tucked another rebound past Mole for his second goal of the series. A turnover led to Luke Erickson's second of the playoffs, a titanic blast from the right circle to push Alaska's bulge to 5-1 63 seconds into the final period. Sixsmith answered for the Grizzlies 20 seconds later, but the home team would draw no closer, despite pulling Mole for the final 4:24 in favor of an extra attacker.
Utah failed to convert any of its nine power plays and now is 0-for-20 in the series. Game five tomorrow night from the 'E' Center will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage starting at 4:45 p.m. AT.
WEST DIVISION SEMI-FINALS (Alaska leads best-of-7 series, 3-1)
Game 1: Alaska 2, Utah 0 Game 2: Alaska 2, Utah 0 Game 3: Utah 3, Alaska 2 (OT) Game 4: Alaska 5, Utah 2 Game 5: Tomorrow, Alaska @ Utah 5:05 AT Game 6: Tuesday, Utah @ Alaska 7:15 (if necessary) Game 7: Wednesday, Utah @ Alaska 7:15 (if necessary)
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