Aces Roll In Opener
October 18, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Colin Hemingway scored twice and Jean-Philippe Lamoureux posted 27 saves in his pro debut as Alaska opened the regular season with a 4-1 win over Las Vegas before 5,108 Friday at Sullivan Arena.
Alaska improved to 6-7-1 in both season and home openers since becoming a professional hockey club in 1995. The Aces have won their last five home openers.
Partly due to a pair of early penalties, Alaska started slowly, being out-shot 12-6 in the first period and 16-9 at one point early in the second. Rookie Mick Lawrence beat Lamoureux high glove off the rush at 16:18 of the opening period to give the Wranglers a 1-0 lead, but Hemingway answered with a wrist shot that slipped past Vegas starter (and former Ace) John DeCaro and the teams headed into the dressing room tied 1-1.
Cam Keith found Alexandre Imbeault alone in front of DeCaro at 13:05 of the second period for the goal that put Alaska ahead to stay, and the Wranglers goalie left the game shortly thereafter with an injury, having stopped 14 of 16 shots. His replacement, Bryan Bridges, who had started three playoff games (winning one) for Victoria against the Aces in 2007, gave up a goal on the first shot he faced to Alaska defenseman Mike Gauthier with 3:32 left in the middle frame. Gauthier, who led the Western Hockey League with 264 PIM in 2007, not only was making his pro debut but had arrived in Anchorage only 24 hours earlier.
Hemingway put the game out of reach two minutes into the final period with his second of the night, set up by his younger brother, Brett, and fellow linemate Josh Soares. The two teams went a combined 0-for-13 on the power play in their 50th lifetime meeting (Alaska owns a 23-22-5 edge in the series).
Tomorrow night, the Aces and Wranglers meet again in a game that will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with coverage beginning at 7:00, 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
ECHL Stories from October 18, 2008
- Falcons Edge Thunder 3-2 in Season Opener - Fresno Falcons
- Victoria comes up short in 2-1 game. - Victoria Salmon Kings
- RoadRunners Reel In Salmon Kings 2-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Grizzlies spoil the festivities at Idaho's home opener - Idaho Steelheads
- Grizzlies Claim Opening Night Win In Idaho - Utah Grizzlies
- Lynx Fall in Road Opener - Augusta Lynx
- Wheeling defeats Johnstown 4-2 - Wheeling Nailers
- Bombers Open Season With 5-4 Overtime Victory Over Cincinnati - Dayton Bombers
- Stingrays Come Out Strong in 5-3 Opening Win - South Carolina Stingrays
- Chiefs fall in home opener - Johnstown Chiefs
- Royals Come Back To Pull Out First Win of Season - Reading Royals
- Cyclones Lose In Overtime, 5-4 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Royals Score Three Goals in Third to Grab Win - Trenton Devils
- 'Blades suffer first loss, fall 3-1 to Checkers - Florida Everblades
- Gladiators Best Sea Wolves, 6-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Checkers defeat Everblades 3-1 - Charlotte Checkers
- Four power-play markers enable Gladiators to slay Sea Wolves - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Bakersfield Condors vs. Ontario Reign - Bakersfield Condors
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs Fresno Falcons - Stockton Thunder
- Gladiators Sign Schell - Atlanta Gladiators
- Neuvirth Assigned to Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Bombers' Opening Night Extravaganza Tonight - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Scorched In Desert - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Aces Roll In Opener - Alaska Aces
- RoadRunners Rout Salmon Kings 7-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Wranglers Fall to Aces 4-1 In Season Opener - Las Vegas Wranglers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
