Aces take over first place with 7-3 win over Long Beach

December 3, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Mike Scott scored twice and assisted on two others as Alaska built a 5-0 lead and rolled to a 7-3 victory over Long Beach Tuesday in front of 2,781 at Sullivan Arena.

Alaska ended a 0-for-21 skid on the power play four minutes into the game when Chris Lipsett launched a drive from the point that sailed through a screened Colin Zulianello, who started in net for Long Beach. Joe Talbot found a streaking Lipsett all alone at center ice less than three minutes later, and Lipsett converted the ensuing breakaway for a 2-0 lead after the first period.

Charles Linglet set up Talbot for a pair of one-timers in the second period, first at 5:03 and again at 15:14, as Alaska extended its margin to 4-0. When Scott scored just 1:32 into the final frame, the game appeared to have all the makings of a massive blowout.

But Long Beach refused to quit, finally getting to Lance Mayes, the Aces' goaltender who had prevented the Ice Dogs from scoring in either of the first two periods for the third consecutive game. John McNabb ended his shutout bid at 4:59, and Craig Lyons gave Long Beach its first power play goal against Alaska in 13 tries with a blast from the high slot at 9:42. When Kevin McDonald scored with 7:08 remaining in the contest, the Ice Dogs seemed on the verge of a remarkable comeback, trailing just 5-3.

Scott ended any thoughts of an Aces' meltdown with his second of the game and 13th of the year (second only to Florida's Brian McCullough in the ECHL, who has 14) with 3:56 left in the game. Mark Smith's ninth goal of the year at the 18:02 capped the scoring and Alaska's third consecutive victory in a stretch that, with tomorrow night's game, will cover seven games in nine nights.

With a 13-8-1 record and 27 points, the Aces own sole possession of first place in their division for the first time since March 16, 1999, when Anchorage (as the team was known at that time) led the Northern Division of the WCHL by two points over Tacoma, the eventual division and league champion. Alaska and last-place Long Beach (6-11-1) wrap up the two-game set tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. AST. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.



ECHL Stories from December 3, 2003


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