Aces Rout Grizzlies 8-4 as Rivalry Heightens
December 9, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Nick Mazzolini notched a hat trick, the Alaska Aces set a season-high for goals and penalty minutes, and over 5,000 fans were treated to a wildly entertaining game on Saturday night as the Aces routed the Utah Grizzlies 8-4 from Sullivan Arena. The clubs combined for 12 goals, 114 penalty minutes, three player ejections, and 17 power plays as Alaska improved to 18-6 on the season. They won for the 13th time in the last 15 games. Alaska and Utah will complete their four-game series on Monday night at 7:15pm. Tickets are on sale now. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces blew the doors open with a four-goal first period to take immediate control of the game. Rookie Jarred Smith began the onslaught with a goal at 3:14 for his second goal of the season. The Aces then made it 2-0 on a power play at 10:43 on Garry Nunn's first of two goals in the period. At 13:04 Nunn scored again - this time from the slot on a setup from Scott Gomez. At 15:42 Ian Schultz was given a fighting major and game misconduct for swinging at Alaska defenseman Alain Goulet while linesmen were holding him back. On the ensuing penalty, Utah's Mitch Wahl took a tripping penalty giving Alaska a two-man advantage and the Aces capitalized immediately. Nick Mazzolini scored his team-leading 13th goal of the year at 19:07 from the bottom of the slot to make it 4-0 Aces after one period. The Aces outshot the Grizzlies 14-7.
The second period proved just as wild as the first with both teams scoring three times and the Aces keeping their four-goal lead. Utah immediately got back into the game with a pair of goals from Mark Isherwood and Brad Mills 1:08 apart early in the period. But Mazzolini scored twice 24 seconds apart to complete his hat trick and make it 6-2 Aces. Scott Gomez added his fourth goal of the season at 14:31 and Utah's Mitch Wahl scored at 19:07, making it 7-3 Alaska after two periods. The second period featured multiple fights and ejections as tempers flared in the third straight meeting between the clubs.
Both teams scored once in the third period with Wahl getting Utah on the board at 15:18 and Crabb scoring a power play goal in the final minute of the game to give the Aces the four-goal win.
Mark Guggenberger (11-4) earned the win, making 17 saves on 21 shots. Grant Rollheiser (4-2-1) made 32 saves on 40 shots, suffering the loss. The Aces went 4-11 on the power play and the Grizzlies were 2-6. Alaska outshot Utah 40-21 in the game.
Alaska and Utah will complete their four-game series on Monday night at 7:15pm. Tickets are on sale now. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
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