Aces Take Series Opener Behind Crum

Published on April 6, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


WASILLA, Alaska - B.J. Crum scored twice in the final 7:04 and assisted on another goal as Alaska rallied from a third period deficit for the eighth time this season to trim Stockton, 4-3, before a crowd of 1,876 at the Menard Center in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Aces, facing the Thunder for the first time ever in the postseason, lead the best-of-five series 1-0 heading into Tuesday's Game 2, also to be played in Wasilla. The series shifts to Stockton for Friday night's Game 3 at 6:30 p.m. AT and a potential Game 4 Saturday at 6:30 p.m. AT. A fifth and deciding game, if necessary, would be played in California Monday, April 12, at 6 p.m.

Alaska opened the scoring at 7:17 of the first period on a power play, when Jarrett Konkle set up T.J. Fast for a one-timer from the left circle. A double-minor for high-sticking against Curtis Fraser left the Aces shorthanded, but Jason Ryznar took a deflected pass from Crum and beat Thunder goalie Andrew Perugini five-hole at 11:15 for a 2-0 advantage. Stockton countered just 29 seconds later on the very same power play, as Kelly Czuy blasted a slap shot just underneath the crossbar over Alaska goalie Billy Sauer's left shoulder.

The second period belonged to the visitors, and Chris D'Alvise tied the game 2-2 when former Ace Matt Robinson found him all alone between the circles for a one-timer past Sauer's blocker. The teams appeared destined for a stalemate after 40 minutes until Thunder captain J.F. Caudron let fly with a drive from just inside the blue line that was tipped by Alaska defenseman Ryan Turek and dipped underneath's Sauer's glove with 2.7 seconds showing on the clock.

Crum, a third-year defenseman who was injured prior to last year's run to the Kelly Cup Finals and came into Monday's game with just four goals in 161 career games, hammered home the game-tying goal at 12:56 of the final period after a flurry in the offensive zone and a cross-ice pass from Brock McBride. The winner came with 2:51 remaining and after the Aces spent 46 seconds in the Thunder zone following a Stockton time-out. Crum's blast appeared to fool Perugini, who was caught sliding toward the far post, perhaps in anticipation of a back door play. Sauer finished with 27 saves to win for the fifth time in six Alaska starts while the Aces killed seven of eight Thunder power plays, including two when trailing 3-2 in the third period.

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