Alaska Clinches Playoff Berth with 9-4 Win
February 19, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Wes Goldie and a record-breaking offensive performance led the Alaska Aces past the Bakersfield Condors and into the playoffs with a 9-4 rout Saturday night at the Sullivan Arena. The Aces improved to 34-14-6, on the season, and became the second fastest team in ECHL history to clinch a playoff berth, securing a post-season spot in their 54th game of the season. The Aces have now qualified for the playoffs in all nine seasons in the ECHL. The nine goals was a season high by Alaska. The Aces continue their six-game home stand and finish their three-game series with Bakersfield on Sunday at 5:05pm. Come meet TV star, Erik Estrada at the game. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
The Aces erupted in the first period for a season-high five goals to take an early commanding lead. First, Alaska captain Brian Swanson opened the scoring at 4:30 to make it 1-0. The Aces got a power play goal from Wes Goldie at 8:35, snapping an 11-game goal drought for the reigning ECHL MVP. Bakersfield got on the board at 10:59 from Evan Trupp to cut Alaska's lead to 2-1. However, just 43 seconds later, Ethan Cox scored to make it 3-1 Aces. Cox then set up Blair Yaworski for his first goal with the Aces at the left side of the crease at 14:41 to extend Alaska's lead to 4-1. Bakersfield goaltender Matt Keetley skated to the bench, asking to exit the game following the goal. He faced 17 shots, and allowed four goals in less than 15 minutes of play, and was replaced by Bryan Pitton. Trupp quickly scored his second of the night after the goaltender change at 15:17 to make it 4-2 Alaska, and again the Aces responded immediately. 1:16 later Nick Mazzolini capped the first period flurry to make it 5-2 Alaska after one period. The Aces outshot the Condors 19-5.
The Condors cut Alaska's lead to 5-3 in the second period when Ryan Annesley scored at 8:12. Alaska again extended their lead to three goals on Yaworski's second of the night at 18:39. The Aces were outshot 12-5 in the period, but took a 6-3 lead into the final frame.
Bakersfield once again got within two in the third on a Robby Dee breakaway goal at 6:49, but Alaska pulled away following that. Ethan Cox had a penalty shot at 10:38 of the period that was stopped by Pitton, but Alaska still finished with three unanswered goals. Steve Ward scored at 11:53, followed by two Goldie goals. He made it 8-4 at 13:11, and then completed the hat trick knocking a puck out of mid-air baseball-style past Pitton at 17:22. It was Goldie's first hat trick of the season, and third career three-goal game with the Aces.
Adam Courchaine (17-10-4) earned the win, making 21 saves on 25 shots. Bryan Pitton (4-17-3) became the goaltender of note and took the loss, stopping 16 of 21 shots. Matt Keetley (10-16-2) did not figure into the decision, allowing 4 goals on 17 shots. The Aces power play went 1-3, while the Condors went 0-3. The Aces outshot the Condors 38-25 in the game.
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