Alaska Crushes Bakersfield 6-0 In Series Opener
Published on April 24, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -Derek Gustafson stopped all 26 shots he faced while Joe Talbot scored twice as Alaska cruised to a 6-0 rout of Bakersfield in Game One of the National Conference semi-finals before 5,003 at Sullivan Arena.
Monday's shutout marked the first time all year long that the Condors had been blanked, as the Aces grabbed a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series pitting two of the league's three best teams during the regular season. While Alaska failed to score on any of its eight power play opportunities, its penalty-killing unit stuffed Bakersfield nine times and accounted for the only goal that Gustafson would need, as Ryan MacMurchy whipped a snap shot short side against Condors goaltender Rejean Beauchemin with the Aces shorthanded and 5:55 left in the first period. Talbot scored the first of his two goals four minutes later after a Bakersfield turnover and a crisp pass from Kimbi Daniels, leaving Talbot to bury a backhander from point blank range.
Mike Scott scored off the rush following an interior pass from Kevin Croxton at the 3:34 mark of the second period, and when Talbot also converted off the rush less than two minutes later, Beauchemin was finished, having surrendered four goals on 12 shots in 25 minutes. His replacement, Jamie Hodson, held Alaska in check, until early in the third period, when goals by Daniels and Olivier Filion, who scored in his fourth straight game, 16 seconds apart put the game away.
Both teams are scheduled to practice tomorrow at Sullivan Arena, with Alaska skating first at 10:00 a.m. Tickets for Wednesday's Game Two at 7:15 p.m. are on sale now at the Aces office as well as online at www.alaskaaces.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or at participating Fred Meyer locations. All 2007 Kelly Cup playoff games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with Wednesday night's coverage getting underway at 6:55 p.m. The series shifts to Bakersfield for Friday's Game Three at 6:00 p.m. ADT.
#2 Alaska vs. #3 Bakersfield (Alaska leads series, 1-0)
Game 1: Alaska 6, Bakersfield 0
Game 2: Bakersfield at Alaska, Wednesday 7:15 p.m. AT
Game 3: Alaska at Bakersfield, Friday 6:00 p.m. AT
Game 4: Alaska at Bakersfield, Saturday 7:00 p.m. AT
Game 5: Alaska at Bakersfield, Mon. Apr. 30 6:00 p.m. AT*
Game 6: Bakersfield at Alaska, Thu. May 3 7:15 p.m. AT*
Game 7: Bakersfield at Alaska, Fri. May 4 7:15 p.m. AT*
*if necessary
ECHL Stories from April 24, 2007
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- Florida Blanks Wildcatters 5-0 in Game 1 - Texas Wildcatters
- Special Party On The Plaza Prior To Saturday's Game - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Trio Called up to AHL Chicago - Atlanta Gladiators
- Wildcatters Weekly - Texas Wildcatters
- See Games One and Two at Florida at Rocky's Roadhouse Playoff Watch Party - Texas Wildcatters
- Individual Playoff Tickets for South Division Finals on Sale Now - Texas Wildcatters
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Alaska Crushes Bakersfield 6-0 In Series Opener - Alaska Aces
- Condors Blanked By Aces, 6-0, In Game One of National Conference Semifinals - Bakersfield Condors
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