Aces Rest, Prepare for Vegas

December 15, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Entering their third week atop the Pacific Division, the Alaska Aces figure to be more than ready for the Las Vegas Wranglers this weekend when the two teams collide at Sullivan Arena with first place on the line.

Las Vegas remains the only team in the division that Alaska has not beaten, having dropped a pair of 2-1 decisions in Las Vegas November 5 and November 28. The Aces maintain a two-point lead over the second-place Wranglers, who beat Fresno Sunday and will have a chance to move into a tie with a win over Long Beach Wednesday. Alaska heads into the weekend unbeaten in six games (5-0-1) while Las Vegas has won four in a row following a six-game (0-4-2) winless skid.

The Aces held off Fresno in their last outing December 9 by a score of 5-4 in overtime, as Charles Linglet, the team's second-leading scorer and tied for seventh overall in the ECHL, tallied the game-winner two minutes into the extra session. Joe Talbot had a goal and two assists (including on the game-winner) to take over the team lead in scoring with 32 points, tied for fifth in the league. Mike Scott scored his 15th goal of the year, second in the ECHL behind only Florida's Brian McCullough. Lance Mayes posted 27 saves to earn his fourth straight win and improve his overall record to 6-1.

Prior to Friday's series opener against the Wranglers at 7:00 p.m., the Aces will be retiring the #18 jersey of Dean Larson, the all-time leading scorer in the history of the West Coast Hockey League, in a pre-game ceremony. Larson joins former teammate and fellow 500-point scorer Keith Street as the only Aces to have their sweaters hoisted to the rafters of Sullivan Arena. Saturday, Alaska invites its fans to participate in the second "Teddy Bear Toss" promotion of the season. All plush toys will be collected and distributed in conjunction with USMC Toys for Tots.

ACES IN THE COMMUNITY:

· The Aces will be at H2Oasis for "Splash with the Aces" tomorrow from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. H2Oasis will give $5.00 off the price of admission to anyone who brings 3 cans of food to the water park from during the promotion. The cans of food will be donated to Beans Café.

· Kimbi Daniels, Keith McCambridge, Dan Murphy, and Chris Lipsett will visit Tudor Elementary Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

· The Aces will visit the Pediatric Unit of the Alaska Native Health Center Thursday at Noon.

· Alaska head coach Davis Payne and visiting coach Glen Gulutzan will visit with fans at the "Aces Lunch Box" at Wayne's Original Texas Bar-B-Que Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Cost is $10.00 and includes a buffet style lunch and drink.

· Mike Scott, Ryan Bast, Louis Mass, and Lance Mayes visited Fire Lake Elementary Friday, Dec. 12.

Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.



ECHL Stories from December 15, 2003


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