Aces whitewash Grizzlies, 3-0
March 4, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Matt Underhill collected his league-leading fifth shutout with 28 saves as Alaska erased nine Utah power plays in a 3-0 win before 5,100 at Sullivan Arena.
Joe Talbot provided all the offense his goaltender would need just 28 seconds into the game, when Utah turned the puck over at center ice and Olivier Filion set Talbot loose on a breakaway. Talbot snapped his 25th goal in 34 games past Grizzlies starter Alfie Michaud and the Aces (44-8-4) were on their way. Talbot set up Alaska's second goal, a power play tally by Ryan Gaucher, the ECHL scoring leader among defensemen, at 11:42 of the first period that gave the Aces a 2-0 lead. Gaucher has 15 goals and 60 points despite missing 15 games this season due to injury.
A scoreless second period followed, and with the Aces in a penalty killing situation early in the third period, Kimbi Daniels pounced on another Utah turnover in the neutral zone and was pulled down from behind by Grizzlies captain Louis Dumont, creating a penalty shot at 4:25. For only the fourth time in 32 chances this year in the ECHL, the penalty shot was converted, as Daniels beat Michaud with a wrist shot glove side for his seventh goal in 17 games. Underhill's shutout marked the 10th of his pro career, and Alaska has killed all 15 Utah power plays in this series while converting five of 11 on its own power play.
The Aces maintain a six-point lead over Las Vegas, who won 6-2 at San Diego, in the West Division heading into tomorrow night's rematch with the Grizzlies (32-22-5) at 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.
ECHL Stories from March 4, 2006
- Weiman Shuts Door On Vegas, 1-0 - San Diego Gulls
- Steelheads Pound RoadRunners, 5-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Late Condors Comeback Stifled in Loss to Victoria - Bakersfield Condors
- Steelheads Rout RoadRunners 5-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Gladiators Beat Ice Pilots, 6-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Inferno burn Lynx 5-2 - Augusta Lynx
- Royals Clinch Playoff Spot With Win Over Trenton, 4-2 - Reading Royals
- 'Blades clinch playoff spot with 6-3 win - Florida Everblades
- Titans doubled up by Royals, 4-2 - Trenton Devils
- Lynx add help on D, Wall returns from Portland - Augusta Lynx
- Everblades make roster changes - Florida Everblades
- Storm Add A Center - Toledo Walleye
- Steelheads Blank Roadrunners 1-0 - OSC Original by Andrew Nordmeier
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Wood recalled by Phantoms - Trenton Devils
- Ice Pilots Trade for Robson; Turon Recalled - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots Salute Military with Auction - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- San Diego Looks For Revenge Against Wranglers - San Diego Gulls
- Aces whitewash Grizzlies, 3-0 - Alaska Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
