Aces rally for 6-5 win
Published on February 15, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. â Jordan Cameron scored a natural hat trick in the third period to bring Alaska all the way back from deficits of 4-0 and 5-2 in a 6-5 victory over Bakersfield in front of 4,349 Saturday at Centennial Garden.
For the third time this season, Bakersfield got to Alaska's goaltending early, this time chasing starter Lance Mayes after less than nine minutes had elapsed in the opening period. Jason Ralph scored just 1:26 into the game, and an Aces turnover led to Ralph finding Kevin Riehl for a one-timer that pushed the lead to 2-0 at the 5:41 mark. Just 36 seconds later, Jimmy Drolet jammed home his own rebound, and when Quinn Fair's drive from the high slot also found the back of the net, Alaska head coach Davis Payne pulled Mayes in favor of Dan Murphy, who had failed to make it through two earlier losses at the Garden.
Trailing 4-0 entering the second period, the Aces finally got on the board when Kimbi Daniels snapped home a power play goal at 9:25, whistling a shot past Shane Bendera from the left circle. Dave Csumrik blasted a slap shot from the point that squeezed through Bendera's pads and brought Alaska to within 4-2 at 14:03 of the middle frame. Mike Barrie halted some of the visiting team's momentum by scoring unassisted with 2:55 left in the period, but Cameron kept the Aces afloat by scoring his third goal in as many games in the final minute, leaving the score 5-3 with 20 minutes left to play.
Cameron scored just 1:22 into the third period, and exactly one minute later, lifted Alaska into a 5-5 tie to complete his first professional hat trick. With 12:04 left to play, he turned that hat trick into a natural one with his fourth goal of the night, and 11th of the year, to give the Aces a 6-5 edge they would never relinquish. Murphy stopped 16 of 17 shots, and all nine he faced in the third period, to earn the victory in relief.
Alaska, who improved to 27-17-4 overall and climbed within three points of third-place Idaho, will take Sunday off before returning to Fresno Monday for a rematch with the last-place Falcons, who knocked off the Aces 4-3 Friday night. The Presidents' Day game will be broadcast on KHAR 590 AM, with coverage beginning at 11:45 a.m. and Jack Michaels handling the play-by-play duties, presented by GCI.
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