Aces rally past Falcons, 3-1

March 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Derek Gustafson stopped 35 shots and Matt Robinson scored twice, including the game-winner early in the third period, as Alaska rallied for a 2-1 win over Fresno Friday at the Save-Mart Center on the campus of Fresno State University.

For the first time in 18 games dating to February 3, Alaska did not score first, although the visitors had the first real chance, as Vladimir Novak was stopped on a penalty shot at 6:02 of the first period. Three minutes later, Pierre-Olivier Beaulieu scored from between the circles on a Fresno power play, ending a run of 34 consecutive failed power plays for the Falcons against the Aces this season. But Fresno came up empty on a number of five-on-three opportunities later in the period, and had to settle for just a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Alaska tied the game at 12:08 of the second period, when Robinson squeezed a rebound through Fresno goalie Ryan MacDonald for his 16th goal of the year after a drive from the point by Peter Metcalf. Robinson's second goal also came on a rebound of sorts, as he scooped up a loose puck in the left circle and flicked a backhander past a screened MacDonald, who had failed to handle Mike Scott's drive from beyond the blue line cleanly, with 17:26 left in regulation. Scott tacked on an empty-netter with 17 seconds to secure the win, keeping Alaska unbeaten in its last 12 games (10-0-2) and reducing the club's magic number for clinching a third straight West Division title to one.

The Aces (45-13-4) face a four-hour bus ride tonight and a Saturday date with Long Beach 6:00 p.m. ADT. Alaska has beaten the Ice Dogs in all six of their previous meetings the season. The Aces and Falcons, who play Idaho Saturday, will square off once again Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ADT as Alaska wraps up its third consecutive weekend of three games in three nights.

Former Ace Alex Leavitt, who won the Rookie of the Year award along with the scoring title last year, piling up 91 points (26g-65a) for an Alaska club that finished with the league's best record, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes in the National Hockey League. He becomes the second former Ace to sign with an NHL club this season. In January, Charles Linglet, who played for Alaska between 2003-05, inked a pact with the St. Louis Blues, the Aces NHL affiliate.

Tickets for Alaska's final regular season games at Sullivan Arena against the Utah Grizzlies on April 4, 6, and 7 are now available at participating Fred Meyer locations, by calling 258-ACES, or by logging onto www.alaskaaces.com. 2007 Kelly Cup playoff tickets will go on sale to the general public March 26.



ECHL Stories from March 17, 2007


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