Alaska scratches out 3-2 win
February 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Chris Minard and Mike Scott scored third period goals to snap a 1-1 tie as Alaska held off Wheeling 3-2 Friday before 3,948 at Sullivan Arena.
The Nailers, riding the crest of a six-game winning streak entering the contest, looked like a club that traveled 4,151 miles to play the game in the first period, managing just five shots on goal. But Alaska failed to score against Wheeling goaltender Joe Exter until B.J. Young tipped in a Joe Talbot shot from the left circle with the Aces on the power play at 5:33 of the second period. The Nailers tied the game 1-1 three and a half minutes later when Ed McGrane hammered a drop pass from Chris Taliercio by Alaska goaltender Lance Mayes.
Operating off the cycle and from the left half-boards, Scott Gomez found Chris Minard for a one-timer in the slot just 1:17 into the third period. Minard's league-leading 30th goal of the campaign marked the first time an Ace had reached that milestone since Yvan Corbin rolled up 45 during the 2002-03 season. Young triggered an odd-man rush late in the third period that seemed to put the game away, as Talbot slid a cross-ice pass over to Mike Scott, who fired the puck home for this 10th goal of the year and a 3-1 lead with 3:39 to play. But Wheeling, playing with just 14 skaters, refused to go quietly, as Taliercio trimmed the margin to 3-2 with 30.5 seconds remaining and the Nailers net empty.
However, a last-second shot by Brendan Hodge was blocked by Alaska defensemen Mike Jones, preserving the eighth victory for the Aces in their last 10 games. Alaska, who outshot Wheeling 32-26, remains six points behind Long Beach and Bakersfield, who currently share the West Division lead. Even with the loss, the Nailers remain first in the North Division by two points over Toledo.
Alaska (27-15-4) and Wheeling square off in a rematch tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m., with the series finale scheduled for Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Tomorrow's game follows the 5th annual "Guns-n-Hoses" charity game between the Anchorage Fire and Police departments at 4:00 p.m. Any person purchasing a ticket to the "Guns-n-Hoses" game will receive free admission to the Alaska-Wheeling nightcap. Sunday's contest offers fans a chance to participate in the KeyBank "Sunday Skate with the Aces" immediately following the contest.
The weekend games between the Aces and the Nailers (28-15-2) will be broadcast live on flagship station KFQD 750 AM and be made available via video webcast for only $6.00 per game at www.alaskaaces.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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