Aces settle for point at last-place Fresno

March 31, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


FRESNO, Calif. – Terry Denike stopped 29 of 31 shots in regulation and overtime and did not allow Alaska to score in the shootout as Fresno slipped past the Aces 3-2 before 3,037 Tuesday at the Save-Mart Center.

Neil Posilico, returning to the Fresno lineup after serving a five-game suspension imposed by the ECHL for leaving the bench, gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead at 9:14 of the opening period with a wrist shot from the right circle on a two-on-one. Shortly thereafter, Alaska was dealt another blow when Kimbi Daniels was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing.

Without their leading scorer, and following another penalty called against Keith McCambridge, the Aces fell behind 2-0 when Kris Porter converted the ensuing two-man advantage with his 21st goal of the year at 13:46. Alaska killed off the remaining power play time, and reduced the deficit in half when Louis Mass sent a wrist shot from the point sailing past screened Fresno goaltender Terry Denike with 4:21 left in the period.

After a scoreless second, the Aces needed just 12 seconds to make the Falcons pay for a foolish elbowing call against John Wroblewski at the tail end of the middle frame. Garrett Prosofsky's 25th goal of the year (his third for Alaska) started a third period dominated by the Aces, who outshot the Falcons 15-5 over the final frame and overtime. Tied at 2-2, Fresno was able to force a shootout, and Denike, who had 29 saves, stopped all four Alaska attempts while Brian Passmore and Tapio Sammalkangas nudged backhanders by Aces goaltender Lance Mayes (20 saves).

Alaska (36-27-6 overall, 5-2-2 over its last nine games) continues its season-ending stretch of 11 consecutive games on the road tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. AST in Long Beach in a rematch of Sunday's contest, won by the Aces 5-1. Alaska's games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, as well as www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.

Alaska Aces playoff tickets are on sale now, with the first home game scheduled for Friday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. against the San Diego Gulls, which will be Game Three of a best-of-five first round series in the Pacific Division. Game Four, if necessary, will be played at Sullivan Arena Saturday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. For all playoff-related inquiries, as well as information pertaining to the purchase of 2004-05 season tickets, please call 258-ACES.



ECHL Stories from March 31, 2004


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