Alaska Gains Split in Utah

October 25, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Josh Soares scored twice and assisted on two other goals while Jean-Philippe Lamoureux stopped all 48 shots he faced in collecting his first pro shutout as Alaska earned a split of its series with Utah, 5-0, in front of 2,946 Saturday at the 'E' Center.

The Grizzlies out-shot the Aces 17-7 over the first 20 minutes but failed to capitalize on five power play opportunities. Meanwhile, Alaska ended a streak of 14 consecutive penalty kills for Utah when Josh Soares registered the first of his two at 6:48 on a rebound in front of Grizzlies starter Mike Mole.

The Aces exploded for four goals in a six-minute span to break the game open in the second period, beginning with Alexandre Imbeault's snipe off the rush, assisted by Brett Hemingway, less than four minutes into the frame. Soares scored his second of the game, and fourth of the series, at 5:03 to extend the margin to 3-0. When Colin Hemingway scored two minutes later from a tough angle outside the left circle, Mole's night was finished after 12 saves on 16 shots. Cam Keith greeted Mole's replacement, Nathan Lawson (33 saves in a 7-3 Utah win Friday), with his first goal of the year at 9:59.

Alaska's top line accounted for a combined 10 points, and by the end of the second period, the visitors had out-shot the Grizzlies 19-7, and held a comfortable 5-0 lead entering the final period. With the game well in hand, Utah nevertheless kept firing away, determined to break through, but despite 24 third period shots on goal against just two for the Aces, came away with nothing. The 48 shots allowed by Alaska were the most surrendered in a regular season game since April 8, 2005, when the Aces coughed up 52 in a meaningless loss at Las Vegas in the 2004-05 finale.

Alaska (3-1) returns home next week for a three-game set against Fresno, a club the Aces beat six times in eight tries in 2007-08. Friday and Saturday's contests begin at 7:15 p.m., while Sunday's matinee starts at 5:00 p.m. and features the first Fred Meyer postgame "Skate with the Aces." All three games will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.



ECHL Stories from October 25, 2008


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