Aces take opener in Victoria, close in on West title

Published on April 3, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


VICTORIA, BC - F.P. Guenette capped a three-point night against his former team with the game-winning goal at 11:41 of the final period as Alaska twice rallied from two-goal deficits in a 6-4 win over Victoria before 5,056 Wednesday at the Save-On Foods Memorial Centre.

Coming into the game, Alaska had not surrendered a first period goal in its last nine outings, but the Goldie brothers, Ash and Wes, provided Victoria with a 2-0 lead with 3:30 remaining in the opening frame, scoring less than three minutes apart. Ash's power play goal at 13:54 marked his 40th of the season. The Aces countered as Bo Cheesman registered his 30th goal of the year 1:47 before the break, assisted by Vladimir Novak and Peter Metcalf.

Cam Keith tied the contest just 37 seconds into the middle frame, but the Salmon Kings answered with two goals in 51 seconds, the first coming on a shot from Chris St. Jacques that whistled off the left post and behind Alaska starter Chris Beckford-Tseu (30 saves) and the second on a shorthanded breakaway cashed in by Wes Goldie, his second goal of the game and 40th of the year at 3:04. A turnover by Victoria in its own zone less than four minutes later led to Brett Hemingway's 21st goal of the year that cut the gap to 4-3, where Alaska remained despite being out-shot 27-14 through two periods.

A shaky Julien Ellis finally gave way in the third period, beaten first by Derick Martin for the equalizer at 7:16, then by Guenette on an innocuous-looking rush down the right wing that ended with the former Salmon King slipping a shot just inside the post. Victoria failed to convert a power play late in the third period, and with the extra attacker on, Keith sealed the home team's fate with an empty-netter at 19:00. The Aces have won six of 10 games against the 'Kings this season and own a 34-9-4 record head-to-head since 2004, including a first-round playoff series victory last year.

Alaska can claim its fourth straight West division title with three points out of a possible four this weekend. If Idaho should stumble in either of its final two games at home against Fresno, all Alaska would need is a split on the weekend in Victoria. The Aces (41-24-5) practice tomorrow morning in preparation for their final two games of the regular season against the Salmon Kings Friday and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ADT. Both games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to face-off.

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