Aces Wins Conference with 3-2 Win
March 29, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
The Alaska Aces clinched their fifth ever regular season Western Conference title on Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over the Bakersfield Condors at the Rabobank Arena. Alaska will receive the first round bye in the Kelly Cup Playoffs and face the winner of the #4 vs. #5 matchup in the Conference Semifinals in mid-April. The Aces improved to 43-17-10 on the season, and lowered their magic number to clinching the Brabham Cup to one point over the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Aces now head to Ontario this weekend to complete the final weekend of the regular season. The Aces will return back home to host Games 1 and 2 of the Conference Semifinals. Stay tuned for an official announcement of playoff dates. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
After a scoreless first period, Bakersfield opened the scoring on Robby Dee's goal 1:28 into the frame that deflected off of James Reid and into the net behind him to give the Condors a 1-0 lead. Alaska erased the lead immediately when Matt Ambroz slammed home the puck off a goalmouth scramble 39 seconds later to even the score. The Aces then took their first lead at 13:09 when Nick Mazzolini scored shorthanded to make it 2-1 Alaska after two periods.
The Aces extended their lead in the third period as Blair Yaworski beat Matt Keetley glove side from the left circle at 9:00 making it 3-1. Bakersfield cut the Aces lead to one in the final minute with their goaltender pulled. Tyler Helfrich scored an extra attacker goal at 19:34, but that's as close as Bakersfield would get, and Alaska held on to clinch the top seed in the West.
James Reid (6-1-1) earned the win, making 26 saves on 28 shots. Matt Keetley (12-20-3) suffered the loss making 31 saves on 34 shots. The Aces power play went 0-1, while the Condors went 0-3. The Aces outshot the Condors 34-28 in the game.
The Aces now head to Ontario this weekend to complete the final weekend of the regular season. The Aces will return back home to host Games 1 and 2 of the Conference Semifinals. Stay tuned for an official announcement of playoff dates. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
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