Aces win Game 1 at Idaho, 4-1, behind 47 saves from Schwarz

April 10, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Marek Schwarz stopped 47 shots and Alaska scored twice on the power play while holding Idaho scoreless in eight attempts in a 4-1 win in Game One of the Kelly Cup playoffs before 2,233 Wednesday night at Qwest Arena.

Schwarz, who had won all six of his starts for the Aces back in February, stopped 20 first period shots as Alaska killed four Idaho power plays to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes. Corbin Schmidt gave the Aces a 1-0 lead at 2:37 of the second period, scoring off the rush on a pass from Brett Hemingway. Alaska erased two more Steelhead power plays and scored on one of its own with 1:11 left in the frame when Peter Metcalf's drive from the point was inadvertently deflected home by an Idaho defenseman.

The Aces took advantage of a five-on-three power play midway through the third period to put the game out of reach, as a centering pass by Josh Soares deflected off the knob of Steve Silverthorn's stick and into the back of the net with 8:46 remaining. The 22-year-old Schwarz, making his playoff debut just four days after giving up three goals on four shots before being pulled in his last start for Peoria, came within 4:48 of a shutout before a drive from the point was deflected over the net, caromed off the glass back into the crease area, and bounced off Taggart Desmet's chest and into the cage to put Idaho on the board. But any hopes of a comeback were derailed when Matt Shasby flicked home an empty-netter from his own blue line with 2:01 left on the clock. The Aces gave up a season-high 48 shots on net while managing 29, but nevertheless secured their seventh win in 21 playoff games against Idaho dating to 1998.

Game Two at Qwest Arena in Boise will be held tomorrow at 5:10 p.m. ADT, with the series shifting to Anchorage for Games Three and Four Saturday and Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Game Five, if necessary, would be played at Sullivan Arena next Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Games Six and Seven, if necessary would return to Boise.

2008 Kelly Cup playoff tickets are now on sale at the team offices at the corner of 15th and Gambell on weekdays between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. All playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off. #4 Idaho vs. #5 Alaska: (all times AT)

Game 1: Alaska 4, Idaho 1 Game 2: at Idaho TOMORROW 5:10 p.m. Game 3: at Alaska SATURDAY 7:15 p.m. Game 4: at Alaska SUNDAY 7:15 p.m. Game 5: at Alaska TUESDAY 7:15 p.m. * Game 6: at Idaho Thu., April 17 5:10 p.m. * Game 7: at Idaho Sun., April 20 5:10 p.m. *

*If necessary * Game Six in Boise may be moved to Fri., April 18



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