Aces score five in third to take down Grizz, 7-4

Published on December 30, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Peter Metcalf had a goal and three assists to help the Alaska Aces rally from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 in an eventual 7-4 victory over Utah in front of 5,081 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces (17-9-3 overall) have won an ECHL-high six games when trailing after two periods and have lost just once in their last 10 games, going 7-1-2 over that stretch to remain just five points out of the West Division lead held by Victoria, which needed 10 rounds of a shootout to beat Fresno, 4-3.

Utah took a 2-0 lead and generally controlled the first period, thanks in large part to four power plays, one of which was converted by Olivier Labelle, who beat Alaska starter Kris Tebbs five-hole at the 10-minute mark. Former Ace Justin Bourne scored the second goal with only 7.6 seconds left in the opening frame. The Grizzlies out-shot the Aces 14-6 over the first 20 minutes.

A double deflection on a drive by Kimbi Daniels at 4:13 of the second period put Alaska on the board, as Bo Cheesman was credited with the goal, which actually caromed off the stick of Utah defenseman Jordan Hart. Labelle responded three minutes later with his second goal of the night, giving the Grizzlies a 3-1 advantage and sending Tebbs (16 saves on 19 shots) to the bench. With Derek Gustafson on in relief for the first time since he joined the Aces in 2006, Metcalf ripped a slapper from the high slot off the goal post and in at 14:12 of the second period, cutting the deficit to 3-2 at the break.

Alaska had scored six third period goals in a 7-5 win at home over Fresno November 16, and a similar flurry occurred Saturday, as Cheesman triggered a three-goal outburst in a decisive span of 1:27 with his second goal of the night at 5:01 of the final period, set up by F.P. Guenette off the rush. Olivier Filion was credited with the goal that put Alaska ahead to stay with 13:54 remaining, although once again, his centering pass fired off the stick of Hart before finding the net. 22 seconds later, Cam Keith chipped a puck over Utah goalie Nathan Lawson's left shoulder, and suddenly, the Aces had a 5-3 lead. That bulge grew to 6-3 when Filion scored his second of the night (and fourth of the series) with 4:22 left in the game on an Alaska power play, and although Labelle completed his hat trick for the Grizz just 13 seconds later, Guenette's empty-netter with 1:23 remaining sealed the visitors' fate.

Alaska has lost just once in 13 games at home (10-1-2) heading into Monday night's series finale with Utah at 7:15 p.m. The Aces will practice tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Grizzlies (13-13-3). All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.

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ECHL Stories from December 30, 2007


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