Aces Season Ends with 4-3 OT Loss to Thunder in Game 6
Published on May 1, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Stockton Thunder defenseman Nik Pokulok scored 7:13 into overtime to end the Alaska Aces season and send the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night in Game 6 of the second round series between Alaska and Stockton. Pokulok's game-winner came after the Thunder forced overtime with a game-tying goal with five seconds remaining in regulation, and gave the Thunder a 4-2 series victory. The Aces would like to thank all of their fans and corporate partners for their support during the 2012-2013 season. Hockey will return to Anchorage for a brand new season in October. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces darted out of the gates and immediately swarmed the Thunder to take early control of the game. Alaska outshot Stockton 8-1 to open the game and Evan Trupp made it 1-0 with his second goal of the postseason at 4:00 of the first period. Chris Clackson finished off a two-on-one with Zach Harrison minutes later to increase the Aces lead at 6:41. Shortly after Alaska's second goal the Aces were whistled for three consecutive penalties to defensemen, and Stockton had more than two full minutes of five-on-three power play time. Alaska's PK held and kept the 2-0 lead until late in the period. On the Thunder's fourth power play of the period, they finally broke through in the final second. With time winding down, Harrison Reed scored on a wrist shot with two tenths of a second left in the period. The goal cut Alaska's lead at intermission to 2-1.
Stockton changed the momentum in the second period, outshooting the Aces 16-8 in the frame and tying the score. Ryan Hayes evened the game at 2-2 at 8:06 with his fifth goal of the postseason. The game went into the third period tied.
After a mostly scoreless third period, the Aces reclaimed the lead when Andy Taranto scored at 17:24. However, the Thunder pulled off another last minute comeback when they pulled the goaltender and Andrew Clark tied the game to force overtime at 19:55 of the third period.
The Aces outshot the Thunder 5-4 in OT, but after a failed four-on-three rush, Shawn Weller found Nik Pokulok at the left side of the net on a counter attack for the game-winning goal at 7:13 to clinch the series victory for the Thunder.
Gerald Coleman (4-5) suffered the loss, making 33 saves on 37 shots. Olivier Roy (8-5) made 30 saves on 33 shots for the win. The Aces went 0-2 on the power play, while the Thunder went 1-6. The Aces were outshot by the Thunder 37-33 in the game.
The Aces would like to thank all of their fans and corporate partners for their support during the 2012-2013 season. Hockey will return to Anchorage for a brand new season in October. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
ECHL Stories from May 1, 2013
- Royals to Face Cincinnati in Eastern Conference Finals - Reading Royals
- Royals Advance with Game Seven Win over Florida, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- See Slappy Twice this Weekend - Kalamazoo Wings
- Wings Stadium to Host Borgess Run Expo - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - May 1 - ECHL
- Thunder Announces Western Conference Finals Schedule vs. Idaho - Stockton Thunder
- Western Conference Finals Set - Idaho Steelheads
- Reading, Florida Meet in 24th Game 7 in ECHL History - ECHL
- ECHL Today - May 1 - ECHL
- Aces Season Ends with 4-3 OT Loss to Thunder in Game 6 - Alaska Aces
- Pokulok eliminates Alaska to send Thunder to Conference Final - Stockton Thunder
- Reign Season Comes to a Close with 5-3 Semifinal Loss - Ontario Reign
- Idaho Advances to ECHL Western Conference Finals - Idaho Steelheads
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.
