Alaska Three Points Back After 4-3 Win At Victoria
December 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
Victoria, BC, Canada - Tim Spencer scored twice and Derek Gustafson stopped 30 shots and again out-dueled his counterpart in a shootout as Alaska claimed a 4-3 win over Victoria before 5,560 Wednesday at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
Both teams fought occasional sloppiness in the first period, and an Alaska turnover in its own end led directly to the game's first goal, scored by Marc-Andre Bernier unassisted at 6:27. The Aces rallied with three unanswered goals to take the lead, beginning with Vladimir Novak's equalizer from between the circles, set up by Bo Cheesman, at the 12:04 mark. Matt Robinson's determined rush to the net produced a shot that was stopped by Julien Ellis, but Spencer lifted the rebound over the Victoria goalie to push Alaska in front, 2-1, with five minutes to play in the opening frame. Less than two minutes later, Chris St. Jacques had an outlet pass picked off by Spencer, who quickly snapped a wrist shot past Ellis for a two-goal margin at the break.
After being out-shot 15-7 in the first period, the Salmon Kings turned the tables in the second, firing 15 shots compared to five for the Aces and drawing within 3-2 on a power play tip-in by Wes Goldie midway through the period. Goldie's bid to tie the game with 30 seconds left in the frame struck the crossbar, and thanks to a series of spectacular saves by Gustafson earlier in the period, Alaska preserved its 3-2 edge heading to the final 20 minutes.
Dylan Yeo tied the contest just 61 seconds into the third period, and neither club managed much offense for the remainder of regulation. In overtime, however, the teams combined for nine shots on goal, with Goldie missing numerous chances to end the game on a Victoria power play. Alaska kept its perfect shootout record (3-0) intact with goals on each of its first three attempts, courtesy of Robinson, Cheesman, and former 'King F.P. Guenette, while Gustafson turned aside three of four shots to earn the victory, ending a five-game losing streak for the Aces on the road. The Salmon Kings, meanwhile, saw their 10-game home winning streak come to an end and absorbed their first loss in extra time after four wins in OT and three in a shootout prior to Wednesday.
Alaska, now 15-8-2 overall and within three points of West Division-leading Victoria (17-7-1) has a scheduled practice tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. ADT in preparation for two more games against the Salmon Kings, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 6:05 p.m. ADT. All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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