ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Aces tame Grizz, 8-1

Published on March 2, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska scored seven unanswered goals in a 20-minute span, led by Joe Talbot's second straight two-goal outing, to break open what had been a close game and demolish Utah 8-1 in front of 3,823 at Sullivan Arena.

Early Wednesday morning, the Aces sent winger Ryan Gale (four goals, two assists in 26 games) to the Columbia Inferno in exchange for cash considerations. Meanwhile, Alaska captain Keith McCambridge returned to the lineup for the first time since January 5.

Alex Leavitt gave the Aces a 1-0 lead late in the opening period with what turned out to be the first of four Alaska power play goals, a one-timer at 14:46, his 18th of the year and third in as many games. Scott Basiuk tied the game on a back-door play only 2:12 into the second period, and the 1-1 deadlock remained intact until eight minutes were left in the frame, when the Aces took advantage of a five-on-three situation against Utah's suspect penalty kill (23rd-ranked among 25 ECHL teams).

Talbot scored the first of his two goals at 13:35 on the two-man advantage, and Mike Scott blasted home a one-timer from the right circle a minute later on the subsequent five-on-four for his team-leading 27th goal of the year. Scott later intercepted a centering pass in his own zone and led a delayed three-on-one, finally feeding Talbot for a virtual tap-in with 3:09 left in the second period, and suddenly Alaska was in complete command at 4-1. Talbot has scored 24 goals despite missing the first 22 games of the year.

Corbin Schmidt effectively ended the competitive phase of the game when he blocked a shot at one end and faked a slap shot at the other, eventually roofing a wrister over a completely fooled Justin Eddy three minutes into the final period. Chris Heisten flicked in a rebound for Alaska's fourth power play goal and his first of the season at 6:41, and after a Utah turnover in the defensive zone, Kimbi Daniels found Mike Lee, who deked Eddy with a backhander to extend the margin to 7-1 at 10:39. Olivier Filion registered his 10th goal of the year with 6:21 left in regulation to cap the scoring, with an assist credited to defenseman Ryan Gaucher, one of four he had on the night. Matt Underhill stopped 21 shots to earn his 27th win between the pipes.

Alaska (43-8-4) extended its West Division lead to six points over idle Las Vegas and dealt Utah only its second loss in the last 13 games. The Aces and Grizzlies meet twice more at Sullivan Arena this weekend, with Friday and Saturday night game scheduled for 7:15 p.m. 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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ECHL Stories from March 2, 2006


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