Aces roar back to trounce Victoria, 5-1
Published on January 14, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Kevin Croxton and Mike Scott broke out of prolonged scoring slumps as Alaska scored five unanswered goals after falling behind early to beat Victoria going away, 5-1, in front of 4,711 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
As they did last night in an eventual 3-2 win, the Aces surrendered the game's first goal, as Marc-Andre Bernier beat Alaska starter Derek Gustafson with a wrist shot from the right circle only 68 seconds into the contest. The Aces rallied behind their power play, held scoreless for the first time in 15 games last night, and Croxton, who had scored just once in 14 games entering tonight. Matt Shasby fed a wide-open Croxton on the back door for the equalizer at 5:55 of the first period, and Scott banged home a rebound of a Steven Later drive from the point to give Alaska the lead for good at 2-1 with 1:17 left in the frame. For Scott, the goal marked his first that did not come with an empty net in 21 games.
The Aces put the game out of reach with three goals in a span of 2:40 midway through the second period. Kimbi Daniels and Croxton worked a give-and-go after a Victoria turnover at its own blue line at 11:42, and 46 seconds later, Vladmir Novak was credited with his 12th goal of the year after a Hans Benson shot caromed off Salmon Kings netminder Bryan Bridges, the crossbar, and finally, Novak's body. A tip-in by Croxton, assisted by Shasby and Daniels, with 5:38 left in the middle frame capped the game's scoring and three-point nights for Croxton and Daniels.
Gustafson stopped all 15 shots he faced over a scoreless final period to finish with 25 saves for the game and improve to 9-1-1 over his last 11 starts. Alaska out-shot Victoria 26-11 over the first two periods and 33-26 for the game, and will turn to Isaac Reicmuth to start tomorrow's series finale between the pipes.
The Aces (22-10-2) own a six-point bulge over Idaho and Phoenix in the West Division and have moved into a tie with idle Las Vegas for the National Conference lead at 46 points. Alaska and Victoria meet for the final time this season tomorrow at 5:05 p.m., marking the first Fred Meyer "Post-Game Skate with the Aces," and the first time the Aces face a three-games-in-three-nights scenario all season. Tickets for tomorrow's match-up are available by calling 258-ACES or at www.alaskaaces.com.
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