Alaska scratches out 3-1 win over Fresno

Published on February 8, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Olivier Filion broke a 1-1 tie early in the third period and Alaska hung on behind Isaac Reichmuth's 20 saves to sweep a two-game set with Fresno by a score of 3-1 before 4,981 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena.

Both teams got off to a sluggish start despite each scoring on their first shot on net. Peter Metcalf scored his ninth goal of the year on an Alaska power play at 3:37 of the opening period, while Fresno waited nearly nine minutes for its first shot, but tied the game when Cory Murphy picked off a clearing attempt and found John Morlang for the equalizer, a backdoor one-timer. The clubs combined for just 11 shots in the first period, and although the pace picked up significantly in the second, with the Aces out-shooting the Falcons 18-11, the score remained deadlocked entering the final 20 minutes.

A mistake by Fresno goaltender Ryan McDonald, who otherwise was superb, finishing with 33 saves, led to the eventual game-winner, as Kimbi Daniels intercepted a clearing attempt by the rookie goaltender along the right wing boards and fired a quick shot toward the Falcon net. McDonald scrambled back in time to make the save, but gave a rebound that Julian Talbot whistled off the post before Filion backhanded the carom home for his 22nd goal of the year and a 2-1 edge at 1:23 of the final period. Fresno, a team that has scored just nine goals in its last eight games (winning just once over that span), managed just four shots the rest of the way, allowing Reichmuth to claim his first win since January 14. His night was highlighted by a sprawling glove save while lying flat on his back against a Rob McFeeters breakaway late in the second period. Aces captain Mike Scott sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the game's final minute, his 10th goal of the season.

Alaska has scored 15 power play goals in its last seven games and now sits at a league-best 32-12-2 overall, including nine straight victories at home and a 14-1-1 record at Sullivan Arena over the last two months. The Aces will take tomorrow off and open a three-game series against Phoenix (22-19-4) Friday at 7:15 p.m. Alaska has not faced the Roadrunners all year, but Friday marks the first of six meetings between the two clubs in the next seven games scheduled. Tickets for this weekend's games (Saturday at 7:15 p.m., a Sunday "Skate with the Aces," courtesy of Fred Meyer, at 5:05 p.m.) are available online at www.alaskaaces.com or by calling 258-ACES. All games are broadcast live on the flagship home of Alaska Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM.

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