Aces stop Thunder, 6-3, win 8th in a row

Published on February 4, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Mike Scott scored a pair of goals and assisted on two others as the Alaska Aces captured their eighth consecutive victory, 6-3 over the Stockton Thunder, before 6,271 at Stockton Arena.

For the first time in 11 games, Alaska gave up the game's first goal, as a drive from Stockton defenseman Geno Parrish was redirected through Aces goalie Matt Underhill's legs by Aaron Foster just 55 seconds into the game. Alaska quickly established control, however, scoring three goals in a span of 4:07 to take a lead it never relinquished. Alex Leavitt, who had been named ECHL Rookie of the Month earlier Friday afternoon, blasted home a one-timer on the power play for the equalizer at the five-minute mark.

Olivier Filion fed Kimbi Daniels for the go-ahead goal on a two-on-one less than 90 seconds later, with Daniels beating Thunder goaltender Jake Moreland top shelf for a 2-1 edge and his fourth in five games since returning to the Aces lineup. Barrett Heisten flicked a pass from Matt Shasby by Moreland at 9:07 for his 20th goal of the year and a 3-1 advantage, but Foster's second of the night with 2:19 left in the first period pulled Stockton to within 3-2 at the break.

Alaska seized complete control of the game with two goals in the second period, as Leavitt found Mike Scott at 6:28 for his league-leading 40th assist of the year and a 4-2 bulge. The Aces enjoyed a three-goal lead at intermission after Scott threaded a perfect pass to a wide-open Joe Talbot, who had plenty of time to snap a wrist shot just inside the left goalpost with 8:11 left in the middle frame.

Joel Irwin scored unassisted from a tough angle at 7:30 of the final period to reduce Alaska's lead to 5-3, but that proved to be the Thunder's last gasp. Ryan Gaucher, who had three assists on the night, hit Scott coming out of the penalty box and the third-year Ace converted the ensuing breakaway for his second goal and fourth point of the night to seal the victory, Alaska's eighth straight by a combined score of 44-13. Playing with a slight case of food poisoning, Underhill posted 25 saves to lock up his eighth consecutive win between the pipes and his ECHL-best 22nd of the year.

The Aces received additional help from Long Beach, who beat Las Vegas 5-3 Friday night, allowing Alaska (35-6-3) to open up a five-point lead in the West Division over the Wranglers heading into tomorrow night's rematch against Stockton at 6:30 p.m. AST. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com. In addition, all home games and selected road contests will be available on a pay-per-view basis on the internet, courtesy of B2 Networks.

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