Aces Take Wild Game Four over Bulls 6-5

Published on April 13, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Bobby Hughes and Chris Clackson each had two-goal games on Friday night as the Alaska Aces outlasted the San Francisco Bulls 6-5 in a Game Four thriller to take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Game Five will be Saturday night in San Francisco at 6:15pm AKT, and the Aces can win the series with a victory. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

The Bulls outshot the Aces 12-8 in the opening period, and scored the only goal of the frame. Dean Ouellet scored his first career playoff goal on a rebound at 18:18 while the Bulls were shorthanded. It was the second shorthanded goals allowed by the Aces in ten postseason periods, matching the amount they allowed in 72 regular season games. San Francisco took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The second period was a wild one, featuring six combined goals and plenty of back-and-forth chances. Alaska tied the game at 1-1 early on a power play when Steve Ward sprung Bobby Hughes on a breakaway with stretch pass and Hughes beat Thomas Heemskerk with a wrist shot to the low stick side at 1:55. A few minutes later at 5:03 the Aces took their first lead after a misplay by Heemskerk and a poke check goal from Chris Clackson. Alaska's lead was short-lived as Kris Belan scored from the slot just 22 seconds later to even the score 2-2. Only 64 seconds after the Bulls goal, Clackson again gave the Aces the lead with a shot off of a face-off from the left circle that beat Heemskerk and ended his night. The Bulls pulled Heemskerk for the second time this series in favor of Taylor Nelson. The Bulls again clawed back to tie the score at 10:29 when Jordan Morrison scored from the left circle to make it 3-3. However, before the period ended, Alaska reclaimed the lead one more time. B.J. Crum scored on a shot from the left point that ricocheted off a stick and past Nelson at 18:30 to give the Aces a 4-3 lead at second intermission. Alaska outshot San Francisco 22-11 in the period.

The offense continued for both teams in the third period. Alaska extended their lead to three with a pair of goals 42 seconds apart. Zach Harrison scored a highlight reel goal from the slot at 12:58, followed by the second of the night from Hughes at 13:40. Alaska led 6-3, and appeared to be in position to run away with the game. However, the Bulls battled back with a pair of quick strikes of their own. Dean Ouellet and Kory Falite scored 20 seconds part with four minutes to play to get the Bulls within a goal. The Aces kept San Francisco at bay in the closing minutes to earn the 6-5 win and take a commanding series lead

Mark Guggenberger (2-0) earned the win, making 29 saves on 34 shots. Thomas Heemskerk (1-2) did not figure into the decision in the start and made 16 saves on 19 shots. Nelson (0-1) also made 16 saves on 19 shots and took the loss. The Aces went 1-4 on the power play, while the Bulls went 0-2. The Aces outshot the Bulls 38-34 in the game.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night at the Cow Palace at 6:15pm AKT. If necessary, Game Six would be back at Sullivan Arena on Tuesday, April 16. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

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