Aces shock Gulls in Game One, 4-2
April 7, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
SAN DIEGO â The Alaska Aces erupted for four unanswered goals in the first period, then hung on behind Dan Murphy's 37 saves for a 4-2 victory over the Brabham Cup champion Gulls Tuesday at the San Diego Sports Arena.
The Aces stunned the Brabham Cup winners with four unanswered goals in the first period, dominating the Gulls from start to finish and out-shooting them 13-7. Jordan Cameron, who scored 14 of his 17 goals on the road during the regular season, gave Alaska the early lead at 1:42 by beating San Diego goaltender Trevor Koenig five-hole on a rebound. Joe Talbot, who missed 13 of the last 14 regular season games, tucked home another rebound at 9:12 for a 2-0 gap. Bret DeCecco punched in a loose puck in front less than three minutes later, and when Talbot scored his second of the night with 4:49 left in the period, the Aces suddenly had complete control of the game at 4-0 after the opening 20 minutes.
The Gulls proved worthy of their league-best regular season record over the final two periods, firing 32 shots on goal compared to Alaska's four, including a 22-1 margin in the middle frame. But Murphy held San Diego at bay, allowing only Chris Gobert's unassisted goal with 6:27 left in the second period and Nick Lent's goal in his first game in a Gulls uniform midway through the final frame.
The Aces won their first playoff game since Game One of their first round series at Idaho two years ago, and recorded their first ever playoff victory over San Diego, which swept Alaska in the 1997 Taylor Cup Finals. The loss marked just the second for the Gulls in their last 24 home games and only their fourth in the last 39 overall. Koenig, who stopped 13 of 17 shots, absorbed only his third defeat in his last 31 starts.
Game Two of this best-of-five first round series returns to the San Diego Sports Arena tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. AST, with Game Three shifting back to Anchorage Friday night in Sullivan Arena at 7:00 p.m. Alaska 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. For all playoff-related inquiries, as well as information pertaining to the purchase of 2004-05 season tickets, please call 258-ACES.
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