Alaska holds off Utah, 4-3
Published on March 16, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Matt Underhill stopped 33 shots, often in spectacular fashion, helping Alaska preserve its sixth straight win over Utah, 4-3, in front of 3,327 Wednesday at the âE' Center.
After killing off two early Utah power plays, the Aces raced out to a 2-0 lead on almost identical goals. Olivier Filion found Alex Leavitt with a centering pass at 6:38, and Mike Lee followed suit with a perfect feed to Chris Heisten at 9:22 as Alaska scored twice on its first five shots. Trevor Baker cut the advantage in half with a blast from the top of the left circle that beat a screened Underhill top shelf at 13:12.
Underhill provided a crucial turning point early in the second period, stopping Utah's leading scorer, Ryan Kinasewich, twice from point blank range before Leavitt dished to Mike Scott for a one-timer off the rush at 3:43 and a 3-1 Aces lead. Scott's 30th goal of the year was followed by a power play tally by Peter Metcalf less than three minutes later, pushing the margin to 4-1.
Alaska failed to capitalize on a five-on-three late in the second period and committed a costly turnover on a power play early in the third, allowing the Grizzlies back in the game when Garett Cameron launched a drive at 5:02 that pulled Utah within 4-2. Kinasewich worked his way behind the Aces defense and beat Underhill to a loose puck deep in the right circle, eventually flicking home a backhander that cut the gap to 4-3 with 10:08 still left in regulation.
Underhill made sure the Grizzlies never got the equalizer, stuffing a pair of scoring chances for Louis Dumont with less than 20 seconds remaining and Utah having pulled starter Justin Eddy (27 saves) in favor of the extra attacker. Alaska remained perfect (41-0) when leading after two periods, and extended its division lead to four points over idle Las Vegas.
Earlier Wednesday, Alaska welcomed back Joe Talbot from its AHL affiliate in Peoria and signed goaltender John DeCaro as an emergency back-up to Underhill, who collected his league-leading 32nd victory Wednesday. The Aces (48-9-4) travel to Las Vegas tomorrow in preparation for a three-game series against the Wranglers that could decide the West Division race, beginning Friday and Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. AST. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where all home games and selected road contests also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks.
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