Alaska Storms Past Utah, 5-3
January 7, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska scored four unanswered goals in the third period to overcome a 2-1 deficit in an eventual 5-3 victory over Utah before 3,479 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena. The Aces have begun their 10-game homestand 4-1-1 and have not suffered a regulation defeat in three straight games for the first time in two months. Alaska (15-17-3) also has tied Utah in points, though the Grizzlies (who have just one win in their last 12 games) have played three fewer games. The teams meet again Friday and Saturday night 7:15 p.m. Both tilts will be broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, with the Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show beginning at 7:00 p.m. each night.
In a game that marked Lance Galbraith's return to Alaska for the first time since the Aces had acquired Evan Kotsopoulos in exchange for the veteran forward, the Grizzlies grabbed a 1-0 lead when defenseman Tim Maxwell tucked home his fourth goal of the season with 1:47 left in the opening period. Alexandre Imbeault, runner-up for ECHL Player of the Week honors last week, set up Eric Boguniecki in the slot for the equalizer at 15:04 of the second period. But with just 1.3 seconds remaining in the frame and Utah on the power play, Tim Crowder slipped a rebound past Aces starter Frank Doyle and the visitors were back on top at the break.
Alaska's third period dominance began with the first shift, when the Grizzlies were forced to take a penalty. John Lammers scored his 19th goal in 23 ECHL games on the ensuing power play off the rush, and the Aces never trailed again. After Kotsopoulous won a face-off in his own end, defenseman Ryan Turek went coast-to-coast, stickhandling through Maxwell and beating Mitch O'Keefe with a wrist shot for Alaska's first lead at 3-2 with 13:11 remaining. Matt Stefanishion, making his return to the lineup after a 10-game absence, blasted home his 11th goal of the year with 5:28 left to play. An empty-netter by Nick Tuzzolino (whose seventh goal of the season surpasses his total with the Aces from a year ago) with 1:47 on the clock pushed the margin to 5-2 rendered Hugo Carpentier's goal in the final seconds meaningless.
Alaska now owns a 21-2-1 record against Utah in games played at Sullivan Arena since the teams began battling one another in 2005. Imbeault recorded three assists and a +2 rating, Doyle posted 32 saves to earn the victory, and Tuzzolino and Boguniecki each finished +3. Alaska was out-shot 35-26.
ECHL Stories from January 7, 2010
- Springfield Reassigns D Bryan Young To Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Everblades Receive Two from Rochester - Florida Everblades
- Grizzlies Sign Patrick Asselin; Will Join Team In Alaska Friday - Utah Grizzlies
- Williams Named Equipment Manager Of 2010 American Conference All-Star Team - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones Trainer Bob Case Named To All-Star Game - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Grizzlies Trainer Plandowski To ECHL All-Star Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Toledo Walleye To Celebrate Prom Night With Special Tuxedo Jerseys - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Announce Blizzard Ticket Special - Wheeling Nailers
- Bina Named National Conference All-Star Starter - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Ben Gordon Reebok Hockey ECHL Player Of The Month - Reading Royals
- Kyle Bushee On Power Hour - Wheeling Nailers
- Hobson And Richards Return To Toledo From Rockford - Toledo Walleye
- Ford Named ECHL Goaltender Of The Month For December - South Carolina Stingrays
- South Carolina's Ford Named ECHL Goaltender Of The Month For December - ECHL
- Elmira's Justin Donati Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Rookie Of The Month For November - ECHL
- Jackals Forward Donati Wins Second Rookie of the Month Award - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Announce Captain And Alternates For 2009-10 Season - South Carolina Stingrays
- Alaska Storms Past Utah, 5-3 - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Drop 5-3 Contest In Alaska - Utah Grizzlies
- Reign Roped By Wranglers, 2-1 - Ontario Reign
- Stingrays Earn Point In 5-4 Shootout Loss At Charlotte - South Carolina Stingrays
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
