Alaska Stopped by Idaho 4-3

Published on March 16, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Two goals from Alex Hudson were not enough for the Alaska Aces on Friday night, as they fell 4-3 to the Idaho Steelheads in front of a standing room only, capacity crowd of 6,599 at Sullivan Arena. The Aces (46-13-7) lost in regulation for only the second time in their last 21 games and had their eight-game point streak snapped. Alaska remained with 99 points on the season, and their magic number for the Mountain Division stayed at five points. By virtue of the Ontario Reign's shootout loss to Stockton on Friday, the magic number for the Western Conference and Brabham Cup was trimmed to seven points. The Aces host the Steelheads for one final home game in the regular season on Saturday night. Tickets are available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

The physical play was evident from the opening face-off and at 4:23 tempers boiled over. After a whistle there was a large scrum behind the Aces net, and 38 penalty minutes were handed out. That included back-to-back ten-minute misconducts on Nick Mazzolini, forcing the Aces leading scorer out of the lineup for the first half of the hockey game. Once play resumed, Idaho struck once again early in the hockey game. Austin Smith redirected a shot from the slot for his 25th goal of the season 5:10 into the game to make it 1-0 Steelheads. Idaho has scored the first goal in all six meetings with Alaska this year. The Aces quickly responded 70 seconds later. In his first game since mid-October, rookie Tim Hall fed Alex Hudson just outside the crease, and Hudson scored his seventh goal in the last eight games to tie the score 1-1. Idaho reclaimed the lead when Tyler Gron scored from the right circle at 17:49 to give the Steelheads a 2-1 lead after one period. Alaska outshot Idaho 18-10 in the period.

The Steelheads increased their advantage early in the second when John Ryder scored on a shot from the left point at 5:17, making it 3-1 Idaho. However, Alaska clawed their way back. Hudson scored his second of the game from the left circle at 6:48 and the Aces tied the game later in the period on a power play. Tommy Mele poked a puck from the low slot past goaltender Josh Robinson at 14:54 to make the score 3-3 after two periods. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 10-8 in the period.

The Steelheads broke the tie at 4:31 of the third period when Jace Coyle scored from just outside the crease to put Idaho up for good. The Aces outshot the Steelheads 11-8 in the frame, but could not find the equalizer as Robinson and company kept the one-goal lead intact.

Mark Guggenberger (24-8-5) made 22 saves on 26 shots in the loss. Josh Robinson (25-6-4) made 36 saves on 39 shots in the win. The Aces went 1-5 on the power play and the Steelheads were 0-1. Alaska outshot Idaho 39-26 in the game.

The Aces remain in Anchorage to conclude their regular season home schedule on Saturday against the Steelheads at 7:15pm AKT. Tickets are available at the Aces office, Sullivan Arena Box Office, Fred Meyer locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. All Aces games can be heard on NewsTalk 103.7FM and 750AM KFQD. For more information, please contact the Aces office at 907.258.ACES, or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.

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