Aces take 1-0 series lead behind stifling defense
Published on April 11, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Barrett Heisten and Kimbi Daniels each had a goal and an assist as Alaska gradually pulled away to a 4-1 win over Utah in Game One of the West Semi-Finals before 4,525 at Sullivan Arena.
The teams engaged in somewhat of a feeling-out process in a scoreless first period, with the Aces out-shooting the Grizzlies 8-3. Peter Metcalf set Chris Minard loose on a breakaway five minutes into the middle frame, and Minard whistled a snap shot over Utah goalie Alfie Michaud's right shoulder for a 1-0 Alaska lead. The Aces managed just one goal in 10 chances against the Grizzlies 24th-ranked penalty kill, but that lone tally, a tip-in by Heisten with 4:56 left in the period, gave Alaska a 2-0 margin heading to the final 20 minutes.
Alaska went 45-0 during the regular season when leading after two periods, and when Kimbi Daniels beat Michaud top shelf off the rush with 7:43 left in regulation, victory seemed all the more secure. But Utah, which had mustered only 12 shots in the game's first 58 minutes, took advantage of a couple of late penalties against the Aces, ending Matt Underhill's shutout bid and cutting the lead to 3-1 with 1:40 remaining when Ryan Kinasewich smacked home a rebound in a five-on-three situation.
An empty-netter by Justin Maiser ensured no miracle comeback was in the works as Alaska won for the seventh straight time in the opener of a playoff series, including six in a row under Davis Payne, who finished third in the ECHL Coach of the Year voting. The Aces and Grizzlies play in Anchorage again tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m. before the best-of-seven series shifts to the âE' Center just outside Salt Lake City for Games Three and Four Thursday and Friday night at 5:05 p.m. AST. Alaska has won all six meetings between the two teams this year at Sullivan Arena. 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.
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