Alaska Sets Club Record With Eighth Straight Win
Published on December 4, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - Chris Minard scored three straight goals to touch off a four-goal rally in a span of less than five minutes as the Alaska Aces ran their winning streak to a team-record eight games with a 5-1 triumph at the Save-Mart Center.
The first period of Sunday's game witnessed no scoring and just seven shots on goal, but the Falcons capitalized on a power play early in the second, taking the lead on J.F. Plourde's seventh goal of the year at 3:31. The Aces responded in the latter half of the period, using their suddenly potent power play to forge a 1-1 tie on Minard's first goal at 14:20, a wrist shot from between the circles set up by Ryan Gaucher. The veteran Gaucher, who has nine points (3g-6a) in his last five games, also assisted on Minard's next goal, the go-ahead tally at 17:09. Last year's ECHL goal-scoring champion polished off the hat trick with 1:01 left in the period, burying his 13th of the season on another Alaska power play.
Minard's three goals came in just 4:39, and the Aces extended their 3-1 lead only 19 seconds later when Zack Fitzgerald chipped home a pass from Mike Scott for the first goal of his pro career at 19:18. Leading 4-1, Alaska cruised through the final period, allowing 14 shots on goal, mostly from the perimeter, but Matt Underhill stopped them all, finishing with 32 saves on the afternoon while improving his record to 7-3-1. Rookie Alex Leavitt scored his second goal in as many nights, and his fourth of the year, with 12:40 left in regulation to account for the final margin as Alaska ran its three-season record at the Save-Mart Center to 8-1-1.
The match-up of division leaders continues next Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night at Sullivan Arena, with all three games between the Aces and Falcons (10-4-4) scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ADT. Alaska sets the pace in the West Division by three points at 14-3-2 overall, 9-1-1 at home. All Aces games, home and away, are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com. In addition, all home games and selected road contests will be available on a pay-per-view basis on the internet, courtesy of B2 Networks.
ECHL Stories from December 4, 2005
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