Aces survive Vegas, 4-3 in 3 OT, advance to conference final
Published on May 3, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -Cam Keith swatted home his own rebound out of mid-air at the 113:30 mark as Alaska defeated Las Vegas 4-3 to take the West Division Finals, four games to two, before a standing-room-only crowd of 6,451 at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces await the winner of the Fresno-Bakersfield series, with the Falcons leading three games to one heading into Wednesday's Game Five in Bakersfield. Alaska has won back-to-back West Division titles and returns to the best-of-seven conference finals for the second year in a row, with the series opening May 8 and May 10 in Anchorage at 7:15 p.m.
Las Vegas took a 2-0 lead nine minutes into Tuesday's Game Six on goals by Steve Crampton and Tim Hambly, but the complexion of the game changed with a minute to go in the first period. Mike Scott hammered a slap shot past Wranglers goalie Marc Magliarditti from between the red and blue line, and suddenly, Alaska had life entering intermission.
Ryan Gaucher tied the game 2-2 on a power play at 6:39 of the middle frame with a wrist shot from the right circle, but Derek Edwardson answered with a power play goal for Vegas less than three minutes later. The Wranglers had not lost a game when leading after the first or second period all year long.
The Aces dominated the third period, out-shooting Vegas 14-5 and forcing overtime on a goal by Troy Riddle with 10:33 left in regulation. Each team had 20 shots on goal through the first two overtimes, but Alaska continued to push in the sixth period, finally winning the game on the series when Olivier Filion found Keith on the right wing off the rush. Keith's first career playoff goal ended the third-longest ECHL game ever; Aces head coach Davis Payne was on the winning side as a player in the longest ever, a 3-2 Greenville win over Louisiana in four overtimes six years ago.
The 2006 Kelly Cup playoffs are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where the games also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks. In addition, all Alaska road games during the upcoming National Conference Finals will be telecast live on GCI Channel 88, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play and John Carpenter serving as color analyst. Fans may purchase tickets to any Alaska home game at the following locations: the Aces office, located at 15th & Gambell, the Sullivan Arena box office, any Fred Meyer's electronics department, online at www.alaskaaces.com, or by phone at 258-ACES.
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- Aces survive Vegas, 4-3 in 3 OT, advance to conference final - Alaska Aces
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