Aces stunned by Steelies, 5-4

March 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Kimbi Daniels led a determined third period comeback with a goal and an assist, but Alaska ultimately failed to recover from a 4-1 deficit and dropped a 5-4 decision to Idaho before 5,162 Friday at Sullivan Arena.

With just two losses in their last 21 games and fresh off a three-game sweep of playoff-bound Utah, the Aces grabbed an early lead when Alex Leavitt set Mike Scott loose on a breakaway and Alaska's leading goal-scorer converted the chance only 2:21 into the game. The 1-0 lead held up for the remainder of the period, and the Aces had lost just one game all year when gaining an edge after 20 minutes.

But the Steelheads exploited an overly aggressive Alaska club numerous times in the second period, firing 18 shots and scoring four unanswered goals to take command. Kurt MacSweyn tied the game at 1:21 of the middle frame, finishing off an odd-man rush with a wrist shot that slipped just inside the right post against Aces goalie Matt Underhill. Blake Forsyth received credit for the goal that put Idaho ahead for good when Tyler Kindle's wraparound caromed off his shoulder and tricked into the net at 10:33. Four minutes later, Marty Flichel converted a breakaway with a laser just underneath the crossbar, and Greg Hornby capped the rally by scoring off another odd-man rush with just 21 seconds left in the period. Alaska had been averaging just 27 shots against per game, the stingiest unit in the league, but gave up 28 through two periods Friday.

Trailing 4-1, the Aces finally broke through on their seventh power play of the game, as Daniels poked in a loose puck in front for his 10th goal of the year at 10:37. Two minutes later, Daniels won a face-off to his right, and Barrett Heisten, who had missed the last seven games due to injury, whistled a wrist shot past Idaho netminder Steve Silverthorn (36 saves) to pull Alaska within 4-3. But pressing for the equalizer, the Aces gave up yet another odd-man rush, and Dan Hacker, a native of Wasilla, Alaska, beat Underhill top shelf at 16:10 to give the Steelheads a two-goal cushion. That goal turned out to be the game-winner when Scott scored his second of the night and his 29th of the year with 28 seconds left in regulation. The Aces never got another shot on goal.

Las Vegas scored late to beat Victoria 3-2 Friday, meaning that Alaska's lead in the West Division has been trimmed to just two points, and although the Aces have a game in hand, three games against the Wranglers (all in Las Vegas) have yet to be played. Alaska, 45-9-4 overall and 27-4-1 at home, meets Idaho again tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m. The Steelheads (33-18-7) officially clinched a playoff spot by virtue of its win over the Aces Friday. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where all home games and selected road contests also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from March 11, 2006


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