Aces Unbeaten in 15 After 4-0 Win Over Salmon Kings
December 29, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Chris Minard scored twice and added an assist while Matt Underhill shut out Victoria for the second time in 11 days, posting 19 saves and keeping Alaska unbeaten in its last 15 games with a 4-0 win over the Salmon Kings before a capacity crowd of 6,251 at Sullivan Arena.
Minard broke a scoreless tie with a power play goal at 10:27 of the first period, flipping in a rebound of a Matt Shasby one-timer. Both teams appeared flat at times through the first 30 minutes, during which Victoria managed just two shots on goal. Minard struck again at 14:24 of the second period when Mike Scott, after losing the handle on a breakaway, had the presence of mind to recover from behind the net and feed Minard in front for the latter's 21st goal of the year, second-most in the ECHL.
The backbreaker came with just 10.6 seconds left in the middle frame and again was set up by Scott, whose pass intended for Minard sailed through to Alex Leavitt, who ripped a wrist shot past Victoria goalie David Currie for a 3-0 edge heading to the dressing room. The Salmon Kings had been out-scored 44-15 in the final period of their first 30 games this season, and that trend continued as Barrett Heisten capped the scoring and extended his points streak to 12 games with his 16th goal of the year just 3:46 into the third period. Underhill cruised to his third shutout of the year and the eighth of his pro career.
Alaska has not lost since November 12, yet has actually lost ground to Las Vegas, who remained unbeaten in its last 18 games with a 3-2 win at Long Beach Wednesday. The Aces have gone 14-0-1 over their last 15 games, are 13-1-1 at home and 20-3-3 overall, but still trail the Wranglers by five points in the race for the West Division lead with three games in hand. Cam Keith, who had an assist on Heisten's goal and played seven AHL games as a rookie last year, will travel with Peoria to play the Chicago Wolves Friday at 10:30 p.m. ADT.
Alaska boasts a 12-1-1 record in 14 career match-ups with Victoria (10-20-1) heading into Friday's rematch at home with the Salmon Kings, which begins at 7:15 p.m. and features an Aces trading card giveaway, sponsored by the Hampton Inn. Saturday's series finale on New Year's Eve also starts at 7:15 p.m.
All Alaska Aces games, home and away, are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com. In addition, all home games and selected road contests will be available on a pay-per-view basis on the internet, courtesy of B2 Networks.
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