Alaska just good enough to win, 3-2

Published on February 24, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. - Joe Talbot scored the game-winning goal four minutes into the third period, snapping a 2-2 tie and giving Alaska its second consecutive 3-2 victory over the Ice Dogs in front of 4,098 Saturday at Long Beach Arena.

The first period offered plenty of action, with a combined 31 shots on goal, including several odd-man rushes and breakaways, not to mention a fierce battle between Alaska's Hans Benson and Long Beach's Eric Neilson just three seconds into the game. The only goal came on a one-timer by Peter Metcalf at 6:31 with the Aces on the power play. Alaska has now scored the game's first goal 11 straight times.

The Ice Dogs fired 12 of the first 15 shots on goal in the second period and finally tied the game when Alexei Smirnov whipped a loose puck in the slot past Aces starter Isaac Reichmuth at 15:33. Olivier Filion regained the lead for Alaska less than three minutes later with his second goal in as many nights and his team-leading 24th of the year. Trailing 2-1, Long Beach's Brandon Schwartz let fly from beyond the red line with one second remaining, and the shot squeezed through Reichmuth glove side to forge a shocking 2-2 tie at the break.

The Aces shook off the stunning equalizer and grabbed the lead for good when Talbot backhanded a rebound over the diving Brett Jaeger at 4:07 of the final period. Reichmuth held sway for the rest of the game, finishing with 36 saves to improve his personal mark to 11-4-2 for the season and 4-0-1 over his last five starts.

Alaska, now a league-best 39-13-3 overall and winners of four straight on the road and a club-record 12 in a row at home, returns to practice Wednesday in preparation for a three-game series against Bakersfield that opens Friday, March 2 at 7:15 p.m. The other tilts will be played Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Live coverage of all three contests begins 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off on the flagship home of Alaska pro hockey, KFQD 750 AM. Tickets for next weekend's games are now available at participating Fred Meyer locations, by calling 258-ACES, or logging onto www.alaskaaces.com.

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