Aces rally late to earn point in 5-4 shootout loss
Published on March 6, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Scott Gomez scored the equalizer with 58.9 seconds left in regulation, competing a stirring comeback as Alaska kept first place even while eventually losing a 5-4 shootout decision to Long Beach in front of its fifth capacity crowd of the season Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces, with 6,251 ready to explode, promptly fell behind 3-0 after the first period as Bill Lindsay, an NHL veteran of 777 games, scored two of his three goals in support of the game's first tally, a rebound flicked in by Michael Lambert at 5:41. Lindsay flicked in another rebound at 12:59 for a 2-0 lead and followed that up with a one-timer just 1:18 before the break to leave Alaska staring at its largest deficit since December 18.
The Aces came storming out of the dressing room to start the second period, getting on the board at 2:05 as Charles Linglet scored on the power play, marking his fifth consecutive game with a goal. Less than two minutes later, Joe Talbot buried a loose puck in front and suddenly, Alaska trailed just 3-2 with 16 minutes remaining in the second period. Long Beach was able to stem the tide, however, and Lindsay completed his hat trick with his third goal of the night at 13:15 of the final period, apparently putting the game out of reach at 4-2.
But the Aces rallied again, pulling within 4-3 when Gomez won a face-off straight back to Cal Benazic, who was allowed to walk down the slot and fire a wrist shot by Ice Dogs starter Olivier Michaud with 4:28 to play. Alaska called time-out with 1:55 left and pulled goaltender Peter Aubry (26 saves), setting the stage for a six-on-five situation and the equalizer, which came when B.J. Young, barely two feet in front of Michaud, slid a pass across the top of the crease to an open Gomez, who flipped in a backhander to tie the game 4-4 and force overtime. Neither club scored in OT, and Lindsay was the only player to score in the ensuing shootout.
The Aces have played 12 consecutive games without a loss (9-0-3), one shy of a team record established in 1997-98. At 35-15-7 overall, Alaska is even with Bakersfield in points but has a slight edge in winning percentage, while the Ice Dogs linger one point back in third place. Tomorrow's series finale against Long Beach at 5:05 p.m. is available via video webcast on a pay-per-view basis at www.alaskaaces.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Following the game, fans may participate in the final "Skate with the Aces" scheduled this season, presented by KeyBank. Live coverage of all Alaska games on KFQD and B2 Networks begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off. For information on purchasing 2005-06 season tickets, please call 258-ACES.
ECHL Stories from March 6, 2005
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- Pride win second straight - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Reading Defeats Chiefs 4-1 - Johnstown Chiefs
- Titans Blanked By Rivermen, 3-0 - Trenton Devils
- Mississippi Activates Greeley - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces rally late to earn point in 5-4 shootout loss - Alaska Aces
- Against the current - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Big Third Period Vaults Condors Past Victoria 4-1 - Bakersfield Condors
- Falcons Shutout by Gulls - Fresno Falcons
- Big Third Period Vaults Condors Past Victoria 4-1 - Bakersfield Condors
- Gulls Get Huge Home Win vs. Falcons, 4-0 - San Diego Gulls
- Steelheads pick up one point, lose 5-4 in shootout - Idaho Steelheads
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