Alaska Earns Split With 2-1 Win Over Kalamazoo
October 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Matt Stefanishion snapped a 1-1 tie early in the third period, and Scott Reid's 23 saves preserved a 2-1 Alaska victory over Kalamazoo before 5,154 Thursday night at Sullivan Arena.
The game put the finishing touches "Paint the Rink Pink" week at Sullivan Arena, where a portion of the proceeds from the games will be donated to Breast Cancer Focus, Inc., and the American Cancer Society in Alaska. The ice surface was dyed pink for the series and the Aces wore specialty jerseys that were auctioned off immediately following Thursday's game. The total amount of money raised will be announced at a later date.
Alexandre Imbeault gave Alaska a 1-0 lead with a backhander that trickled past Wings goalie Ryan Nie at 6:23 of the first period, but penalty trouble limited the home team's offensive chances throughout the evening. Kalamazoo tied the contest when Mathieu Curadeau roofed a shot just underneath the crossbar against Aces starter Sebastian Dahm at 4:54 of the second period. Dahm left after 29 minutes, having stopped 13 of 14 shots, and his replacement, Reid, did not allow the frustrated Wings to take advantage of a 37-14 bulge in shots on goal, including 16-5 in the third period alone.
Stefanishion's goal, his second in as many nights, came on a wrist shot low to the blocker side after Nie had given up a rebound on Tomas Kana's shot from the point. Kana assisted on both Alaska goals. The Aces killed seven Kalamazoo power plays, leaving the visitors 0-for-16 in the two-game series.
Alaska, now 10-4 in preseason action since 2003, opens its regular season at home against Victoria Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:15 p.m. The Aces, defending West Division and National Conference champions, defeated the Salmon Kings in five games in last year's West Division Finals. Alaska owns a 46-17-4 record against Victoria since 2004, including another playoff series triumph in 2007.
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