Aces WIN 4-3 in OT
Published on April 8, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
SAN DIEGO â Charles Linglet scored his second goal of the night 16:15 into overtime to complete a stirring comeback in a 4-3 Alaska victory over San Diego Wednesday in Game Two of the Pacific Division semi-finals at the Sports Arena.
The Gulls, who fell behind 4-0 after the opening 20 minutes in Tuesday night's 4-2 Alaska win, came out flying in the first period, scoring just 20 seconds into the game when Scott Kirton beat Aces goaltender Dan Murphy top shelf from between the circles. San Diego increased the lead to 2-0 when Mark Pederson was credited with a tip-in after a wild flurry in front of Murphy with the Gulls on the power play at 4:49 of the second period. Alaska had been outshot 27-19 and trailed 2-0 entering the final frame, but had rallied from behind in the third period on three separate occasions to force overtime against the Gulls during the regular season.
That pattern would hold, beginning just 49 seconds into the final period, when Chris Lipsett banged home a loose puck in front of San Diego starter Trevor Koenig. Kimbi Daniels tied the game at 6:31 after a perfect centering pass from Linglet, who gave the Aces their first lead with 5:37 left in regulation with a huge slap shot from the top of the circle. 32 seconds later, Pederson's second goal of the night deadlocked the contest once more at 3-3, with neither team able to break the tie in the final five minutes.
The fourth overtime game in Alaska playoff history did not begin well for the Aces, who were outshot 9-2 in the extra session but were bailed out repeatedly by the brilliance of Murphy, who finished with a season-high 43 saves. With 3:45 left in an overtime that had been dominated by the Gulls, Joe Talbot beat former Ace Clayton Read cleanly on a draw to the right of Koenig, who was beaten five-hole on Linglet's shot from the hashmarks.
The Aces, armed with a 2-0 series lead, can eliminate the ECHL regular season champion Gulls, who finished 26 points ahead of Alaska, when the teams collide in Anchorage Friday night at 7:00 p.m. The Aces have not won a playoff series since 1999, dropping four in a row. Alaska games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, as well as www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI. For all playoff-related inquiries, as well as information pertaining to the purchase of 2004-05 season tickets, please call 258-ACES.
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- Aces Edge Gulls in OT, 4-3 - San Diego Gulls
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