Aces Roll To Fourth Straight Win

January 24, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Alexander Imbeault and Cam Keith each had a goal and an assist while ECHL all-star goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux stopped 34 shots in a 5-2 Alaska victory over Bakersfield in front of 5,857 Friday night at Rabobank Arena.

The Aces never trailed in collecting their fourth consecutive win, and their sixth in seven games, to move a season-high 10 games over .500 (24-14-2). Alaska has won eight of its last nine games at Bakersfield, and Lamoureux has earned the victory in six of his previous seven outings to push his league-leading win total to 19. He stopped nine of 10 shots in the first period of Wednesday's all-star game in Reading, Pa., helping the National Conference to a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes; after his departure, the American Conference rallied for an 11-5 win.

Colin Hemingway, who assisted on the third National Conference goal Wednesday, set up Imbeault between the circles for the game's first goal Friday, a laser at 4:43 of the first period over Bakersfield goalie Dave McKee, who has been in net for all three losses suffered by the Condors to the Aces this season (Bakersfield is 3-0 vs. Alaska when McKee does NOT start). After failing to convert a five-minute power play, the Condors finally got the equalizer with 2:41 left in the opening frame when Mike Wirll whistled home a rebound.

Luke Erickson gave the Aces the lead for good when he deflected a centering pass from Erik Fabian past McKee at 7:09 of the second period. Erickson has scored in six of his last nine games, while Fabian has seven points (3g-4a) in his last six. Scott Burt scored on a rebound at 13:44 to push Alaska ahead by two goals, but 18 seconds later, Dave Bonk countered with a power play goal, leaving the score 3-2 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Vladimir Novak scored from between the circles just 17 seconds into the final period, assisted by Bryan Miller, who finished +4. Cam Keith accounted for the final margin with his 12th goal and career-high 44th point at 15:45 of the final period, assisted by Imbeault and Brett Hemingway, who had two helpers and also finished +4. Defenseman Alexander Hellstrom, a seventh-round pick of St. Louis in 2006 and who was re-assigned to the Aces by the Blues just yesterday, registered his first point (an assist) in 23 pro games this year and also finished +4.

Alaska finished with a 38-36 edge in shots on goal, and improved to 18-0 when leading after two periods. The Aces play Stockton Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ADT. The Thunder, who took five of a possible six points in a three-game series played in Anchorage three weeks ago, will be looking to rebound after suffering their first loss in nine games under head coach Matt Thomas Friday night, 4-1 at home to Phoenix. Tomorrow's game will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with the Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show getting underway 15 minutes prior to the opening puck drop.



ECHL Stories from January 24, 2009


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