Aces win seventh straight at home with five unanswered goals

December 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Olivier Archambault scored twice and added an assist in over a five minute span to help lift the Alaska Aces to their seventh straight home victory, 5-2 over the Bakersfield Condors before 4,013 fans at Sullivan Arena on Friday.

The Aces moved back to within a game of the .500 mark and improved to 3-4-0 in the season series against the Condors, scoring 11 goals in the two game series thus far. Greg Wolfe posted his second straight three-point game and Niklas Lundstrom made a season-high 36 saves.

Bakersfield opened the scoring with a 2-0 lead by the early portion of the second period, beginning on Ryan Watson's first goal of the season at 17:49 of the second period and an easy rebound for Josh Currie at 1:55 of the second. But Archambault generated life in the Aces with his 14th goal, to lead the team, at 4:08 of the second period when he pounded a one-timer past Frans Tuohimaa.

The goal started a three-goal run by the Aces in a span of 5:04.

Linemate Raphael Bussieres set up the play by stripping Condors defenseman Graeme Craig at the left circle, then feeding Archambault between the circles.

The Aces then snapped an 0-of-11 power play drought on Greg Wolfe's game-tying goal at 7:36, additionally on a delayed penalty, when Archambault found Wolfe at the left circle for a quick re-direction past Tuohimaa.

Archambault then brought Sullivan Arena fans out of their seats with a high-flying, coast-to-coast goal at 9:12 for a 3-2 lead on the ensuing power play, faking the Condors defense at the left circle and firing snap shot under the crossbar.

The Aces special teams, playing a pivotal role with a perfect 5-of-5 mark on the penalty kill, also generated their third shorthanded goal of the season just 43 seconds into the third period. Greg Wolfe lobbed a clearing pass to center ice, on the tape of Ryan Walters. The Aces forward got behind the Bakersfield defense and buried his first ECHL goal past Tuohimaa's blocker for a 4-2 lead.

Colten Hayes wrapped up the game with 0.1 seconds left on an empty net goal.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Quinn Sproule, Tim Coffman, Justin Breton and Bryan Cameron ... the Aces went 2-of-6 on the power play ... Archambault leads the Aces with 13 points in 7 games against Bakersfield this season ... Lundstrom has appeared in 14 of the last 15 games ... St. Louis Blues director of player development and former NHL forward Tim Taylor was in attendance at the game.

The two teams finish the series tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD) at Sullivan Arena.

For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.

Three Stars:

1. AK - O. Archambault

2. AK - G. Wolfe

3. AK - D. Molle



ECHL Stories from December 20, 2014


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