Aces rally past Glads in Kelly Cup Rematch, 5-4
Published on January 31, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
DULUTH, Georgia - Vladimir Novak rifled the game-winner past Gwinnett goalie Dan Turple just 52 seconds into overtime to propel Alaska to a 5-4 victory over the Gladiators in the first meeting of last year's Kelly Cup finalists.
The Aces, who won four one-goal games in taking the 2006 Kelly Cup Finals four games to one, rallied from a 2-0 deficit after the first period. Gwinnett scored just 57 seconds into the game, on a rebound converted by Andy Contois, and pushed the lead to a pair of goals on a power play tally by Mike Vigilante at 13:07.
Alaska stormed back in the second period with three unanswered goals, a comeback triggered by a power play goal from Kimbi Daniels, his 11th of the year, at 2:40. Six minutes later, Stephen Wood scored the first of his two goals on the night on another power play to tie the game. Mike Scott blasted a slap shot by Turple with 7:48 left in the period to give the Aces their first lead at 3-2, but Jon Sitko registered the equalizer four minutes later, leaving the contest deadlocked at 3-3 entering the final 20 minutes.
Jim Jackson scored on a Gwinnett power play at 5:53 of the final period, but Alaska used its power play once more to tie the game, on Wood's second of the night with 4:31 remaining. The Gladiators entered Tuesday with the league's best power play, and converted two of eight chances, but saw the Aces go three-for-five in forcing overtime. Novak's shot from the right circle off the rush never was in doubt, beating Turple low glove to give Alaska its 10th win in 11 games. Chris Beckford-Tseu finished with 30 saves in improving his record to 7-0 this season and 23-1-2 lifetime in 26 regular season starts with Alaska.
The Aces (29-11-2) travel to Augusta Friday for a 3:35 p.m. AST tilt against the red-hot Lynx, who are unbeaten in their last 10 contests (9-0-1). The game will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with coverage beginning at 3:15 p.m. Alaska's next home tilts will be February 6-7 against the Fresno Falcons, followed by its first match-up with the Phoenix Roadrunners, a three-game series scheduled for February 9-11. Tickets are available by calling 258-ACES or logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.
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