Aces Roster additions, Second Round Possibilities Announced

April 14, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu, who won eight games for the Aces along the way to the 2006 Kelly Cup, and forwards Eric Neilson and Ryan Reaves have been activated by Alaska after being assigned by its American Hockey League affiliate in Peoria.

The 23-year-old Beckford-Tseu enjoyed another banner year in 2007-08, winning 12 of his 16 ECHL starts for the Aces (tied for the team lead) while still managing to lead the Rivermen with 15 wins and making his NHL debut in relief for Alaska's affiliate in St. Louis, stopping eight of nine shots against Los Angeles Feb. 21. His career record of 35-5-2 in an Aces sweater does not include an 8-4 mark in the 2006 postseason, when he delivered three shutouts and finished with a 2.04 GAA and a .930 save percentage as Alaska claimed the ECHL championship.

Neilson, a third-year pro originally drafted by L.A. in 2004 but playing under an ECHL contract with Alaska, played 34 games for the Aces before being called up in early February by Peoria and earning a spot with the Rivermen for the remainder of the regular season. His combined totals include three goals, three assists, and 201 penalty minutes in 52 games.

The 21-year-old Reaves, under contract with the St. Louis Blues, scored in back-to-back wins over Bakersfield March 14 and 15 in his second stint with the Aces before returning to Peoria after Alaska's loss to Las Vegas March 18. Injured while playing in Peoria just after Christmas, Reaves finished the regular season with combined totals of six goals, three assists, and 88 PIM in 40 games.

The Aces must wait either 12 or 14 days to resume pursuit of the 2008 Kelly Cup, depending on how Las Vegas fares in its series with Stockton. The Wranglers currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, while Alaska completed a four-game sweep of Idaho with a 2-1 win last night. The Aces return to practice Wednesday and await one of the playoff scenarios listed below to unfold. Playoff tickets are on sale at the team offices at the corner of 15th and Gambell weekdays between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. All playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off. If Las Vegas defeats Stockton: (all times AT)

Game 1: Alaska at Vegas Fri., April 25 6:05 p.m. Game 2: Alaska at Vegas Sat., April 26 6:05 p.m. Game 3: Vegas at Alaska Tue., April 29 7:15 p.m. Game 4: Vegas at Alaska Thu., May 1 7:15 p.m. Game 5: Vegas at Alaska Fri., May 2 7:15 p.m. * Game 6: Alaska at Vegas Tue., May 6 6:05 p.m. * Game 7: Alaska at Vegas Wed., May 7 6:05 p.m. *

If Stockton defeats Las Vegas: (all times AT)

Game 1: Stockton at ACES Sun., April 27 7:15 p.m. Game 2: Stockton at ACES Tue., April 29 7:15 p.m. Game 3: ACES at Stockton Fri., May 2 6:30 p.m. Game 4: ACES at Stockton Sat., May 3 6:30 p.m. Game 5: ACES at Stockton Sun., May 4 3:00 p.m. * Game 6: Stockton at ACES Tue., May 6 7:15 p.m. * Game 7: Stockton at ACES Wed., May 7 7:15 p.m. *

*If necessary



ECHL Stories from April 14, 2008


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