Alaska rallies from 3-0 down to salvage point in Utah
March 23, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Vladimir Novak scored twice in the third period to help bring Alaska all the way back from a 3-0 deficit, but the Aces had to settle for just a point when Ryan Kinasewich scored at 1:56 of overtime, giving the Utah Grizzlies a 5-4 win in front of 2,897 at the 'E' Center.
The first period like a replica of the opening 20 minutes played by Alaska against Las Vegas in a 6-1 loss Tuesday, with the Aces out-shooting the Grizzlies 14-7 but falling behind early. Matt Craig scored shorthanded to give Utah a 1-0 lead just 3:34 into the game, then added a power play goal five minutes later, the first time in 16 tries an opponent had beaten Alaska's top-ranked penalty killing unit. Kris Kasper scored off the rush with 5:29 left in the period and the Grizzlies, who had lost six straight games to the Aces, headed to the dressing room seemingly in command, 3-0. Alaska starter Matt Underhill was removed from the game between periods after giving up three goals on seven shots, as John DeCaro, a rookie fresh out of UAA, made his professional debut in relief.
ECHL scoring leader Alex Leavitt gave Alaska some life with a power play goal, his 21st of the year (and 82nd point) at 14:49 of the second period, as the Aces continued their mastery of Utah's penalty killers, ranked dead last in the league. Matt Shasby set Novak up between the circles at 6:31 of the final period to pull Alaska within 3-2, then fed Mike Scott for a slap shot that tied the game on an Aces power play (their 14th in nine games vs. Utah this season) with 10:59 still left in regulation.
Novak put Alaska in front for the first time with a one-timer, assisted by Mike Lee, that appeared to be redirected past Grizzlies goalie Alfie Michaud with 8:01 remaining. Shortly thereafter, Utah took a double minor for high-sticking, but instead of another power play goal that might have put the game away, the Aces instead surrendered the equalizer, a slapper by Ed Hill which tied the game 4-4 with 3:35 left, the second shortie of the night for the Grizzlies. In overtime, Kinasewich's winner, assisted by Utah captain Louis Dumont, came at point blank range in front of DeCaro, who finished with 28 saves.
The Aces have played a season-high three straight games without claiming victory, but at 49-10-6, still own the league's best record and a two-point edge over idle Las Vegas. Alaska will try again to become only the seventh ECHL team ever to win 50 games on Friday night in its final regular season game against Utah, with the face-off at the âE' Center scheduled for 5:05 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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