Aces rally to win 4-2
Published on March 14, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Trailing 2-1 entering the third period, the Alaska Aces stormed back with three unanswered goals to emerge with a 4-2 victory and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Cyclones in front of 5,447 in their regular season finale at Sullivan Arena.
After falling (and staying) behind in each of its back-to-back losses to Cincinnati earlier in the week, Alaska took its first lead of the series when Mark Smith scored his fifth shorthanded goal of the season (second in the ECHL) just 5:32 into the game. The power play was just one of four enjoyed by the Cyclones over the first 20 minutes, but they failed to take advantage and the score remained that way deep into the second period.
With a 1-0 lead and having outshot Cincinnati 21-9, the Aces seemed on the verge of taking complete command when the âClones struck twice in a span of 23 seconds, tying the game on a one-timer by Ryan Brindley at 13:40 and taking their first lead of the night when Jeremy Bachusz beat Alaska starter Lance Mayes top shelf moments later on a two-on-one. Faced with the prospect of being swept at home for the first time all season, the Aces quickly took control in the third period, deadlocking the contest 2-2 when Bret DeCecco banged in a loose rebound at the 4:32 mark for his first goal in an Alaska jersey.
The Aces continued to hammer away at Cincinnati goaltender Randy Petruk, finally regaining the lead when Wes Dorey worked himself free in front of the net and chipped a pass from Chris Lipsett over the goalie with 8:41 left in regulation. Smith's second goal of the night, and 20th of the year (in only 37 games) came with 2:50 remaining and was the product of a three-on-two, with Charles Linglet finding Smith all alone between the circles. Alaska fired 19 shots at Petruk in the third period alone and 41 for the game, while Mayes earned the victory with 21 saves on 23 shots.
The Aces (32-25-4) begin their six-game East Coast swing Tuesday and Friday at South Carolina, with a Wednesday date against Roanoke stuck in the middle. Tuesday and Wednesday's games start at 3:00 p.m. AST and will be broadcast live on KHAR 590 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Friday's rematch against the Stingrays (who swept Idaho last weekend in Boise) also airs on KHAR but starts a half hour later, at 3:30 p.m. AST. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
ECHL Stories from March 14, 2004
- Ice Dogs fall short versus San Diego, 4-2 - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Gulls Double-up Ice Dogs, 4-2 - San Diego Gulls
- Lynx Win In OT Over Ice Pilots 4-3 - Augusta Lynx
- IceGators Tamed By Pride 4-1 - Louisiana IceGators
- Chiefs Have Record Setting Win - Johnstown Chiefs
- Pride down IceGators 4-1 - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Rivermen Win Streak Ends at Nine in 5-3 in Wheeling - Peoria Rivermen
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces rally to win 4-2 - Alaska Aces
- Rosebush is Golden in Shootout Loss - Bakersfield Condors
- Don't Be Sad, 'cause 2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Steelheads ice Long Beach in OT, 4-3 - Idaho Steelheads
- Falcons' Three-goal Comeback Ultimately Fails - Fresno Falcons
- Gulls find way to win again - San Diego Gulls
- Generals down Gladiators, 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
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