Alaska One Win Shy of Kelly Cup Finals
May 13, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
LAS VEGAS - Josh Soares scored the game-winning goal with 4:11 remaining after a beautiful move and pass from Cam Keith as Alaska moved one step closer to the Kelly Cup Finals with a 3-1 victory over Las Vegas at Orleans Arena.
The Aces enjoy a 3-0 series lead in the National Conference Finals and, after a practice day tomorrow, can close out the Wranglers in Game Four Thursday at 6:30 p.m. AT. Game Five, if necessary will be played at the Orleans Arena Friday night at 6:30. The games will be simulcast live on KFQD 750 AM and GCI Channel 1, with coverage getting underway at 6:15 p.m. AT.
The crowd of 3,612 saw Las Vegas take its first lead of the series late in the first period when, immediately after a failed Alaska power play, Mike Hamilton fed an open Tyler Mosienko between the circles, leading to a wrist shot that beat Aces starter J.P. Lamoureux blocker side. Vladimir Novak tied the game less than three minutes into the second period by smacking a loose puck just outside the crease out of mid-air and past Wranglers netminder Glenn Fisher. Both clubs failed to convert five-on-three power play opportunities later in the period, and after a combined 33 shots in the frame, headed to the final stanza deadlocked at 1-1.
Alaska out-shot Las Vegas 13-7 over the final 20 minutes, with the winner coming after Keith toe-dragged his way past Wranglers defenseman Dan Spang and fed Soares coming down the slot. Soares whipped a wrist shot underneath Fisher's pads, and Lamoureux held sway for the remainder of the game, finishing with 33 saves in running his, and the Aces, playoff record to 11-2. Novak scored his second goal of the game, an empty-netter with 36 seconds left, to seal Alaska's 12th win in its last 17 road games, dating back to the regular season. The Aces have out-scored their opposition 24-6 during the third period in the playoffs.
National Conference Finals (All times AT)
Alaska leads best-of-7, 3-0
Game 1 - Alaska 2, Las Vegas 0
Game 2 - Alaska 4, Las Vegas 1
Game 3 - Alaska 3, Las Vegas 1
Game 4 - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Alaska at Las Vegas
Game 5 - Friday, 6:30 p.m. Alaska at Las Vegas (If Necessary)
Game 6 - Tuesday, May 19, 7:15 p.m., Las Vegas at Alaska (If Necessary)
Game 7 - Wednesday, May 20, 7:15 p.m., Las Vegas at Alaska (If Necessary)
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