Aces steamroll Utah in third period with four-goal comeback
January 4, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Ryan Walters scored two shorthanded goals and Olivier Archambault added two of his own, all in the third period to lift the Alaska Aces to a 4-1 comeback victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 4,369 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.
Alaska's win ended their six game homestand at 4-0-2, extending a streak of 9-0-2 in the last 11 home games which matches the previous 11-game run at The Sully with a point from 2010-11 (10-0-1), led by head coach Brent Thompson. Niklas Lundstrom made 20 saves while Corey Syvret fashioned two assists on the blueline.
The Aces also earned their first comeback victory this season, when trailing after two periods and moved to within six points of fourth place Colorado.
Danick Paquette put the Aces in a 1-0 hole at 3:38 of the first period, jumping on a loose puck behind Lundstrom for his second goal of the season. The Aces pushed back by raising tempo in the final minutes of the frame, but Ryan Faragher denied Bryan Cameron and Justin Breton with 15 seconds left to keep the score intact.
The Aces kept the pressure building and outshot Utah, 10-5 in the second period, but Faragher and Utah's defense used several collapsing attempts in the slot to deny back-to-back Aces power plays.
Archambault finally leveled the game on a rare breakdown by Utah at 2:44 of the third period, after Utah cleared their zone, Syvret feathered the puck to Archambault, who outmuscled Patrick Wellar and the Utah defense for a late breakaway. His wrist shot beat Faragher from between the circles.
Yet, the game was still in doubt after they were saddled with a double-minor penalty kill, but earned an opportunity after Jacob Johnston whiffed on a one-timer. Walters took off for a two-on-one break and finished a wrister from the left circle for a 2-1 lead, sending Sullivan Arena into delirium with 8:57 remaining.
On the next shift, Walters fractured Utah's power play for another attack and found Greg Wolfe at the right circle, who beat Faragher off the crossbar but had an apparent goal overturned by the officials after a lengthy review. Archambault followed with his second goal of the game, ensuring a 3-1 lead on a beautiful finish at the right circle following a quick exchange with Chris Francis, off the rush with 2:01 left.
Faragher was pulled for an extra attacker and Utah earned another power play after a Colten Hayes slashing penalty for a six-on-four situation, but the Aces cleared the puck and Walters outraced the Utah defense for an empty net goal with 16 seconds left.
Faragher stopped 27 shots for the loss.
NOTES: The Aces scratched Justin Johnson, Ryan Tesink, Brad Gorham and Tyler Currier ... Walters finished the six-game homestand, leading the Aces in scoring with nine points (6g-3a) ... the Aces penalty kill, in addition to the two shorthanded strikes, held Utah to an 0-of-7 clip on the power play ... Archambault moved into the lead for goal scoring among ECHL rookies, also tied for fourth overall (three behind Allen's Jack Combs' 21 goals, who leads the ECHL).
The two teams return to play again next Wednesday, Jan. 7 but take the series to Maverik Center for a 5:00 p.m. (KFQD/ECHL.TV) start time.
For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.
Three Stars:
1. AK - R. Walters
2. AK - O. Archambault
3. AK - N. Lundstrom
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