Anchorage Winning on and off the Ice
December 17, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
FRESNO, Calif. â After another third period rally, the Anchorage Aces have won four of five and can move out of the WCHL cellar for the first time all season with a win tomorrow night in Fresno.
The Aces trailed 2-0 and 3-1 Saturday night in Bakersfield but forced a shootout and eventually escaped with their fifth straight victory (all by one goal, three in shootouts) over the Condors by a score of 4-3. Kimbi Daniels scored the game-tying goal shorthanded with 9:42 remaining in the third period, and Dean Larson and Yvan Corbin (who also had scored in regulation) scored in the shootout, giving goaltender Christian Soucy all the offense he would need. After stopping 38 of 41 shots in regulation, Soucy turned away all three Bakersfield attempts in the extra session and now leads the West Coast Hockey League with a .682 save percentage in shootouts. Anchorage has won three times when trailing after two periods in its first 26 games after posting only two victories in that situation during the entire 2001-02 campaign.
Soucy's backup, Ryan Person, recorded a season-high 43 saves in Friday's 6-3 loss at San Diego but the Aces (8-17-1 overall) mustered only a season-low 15 shots on goal while giving up a season-high 49. Larson, Carl Drakensjo, and rookie Ryan Moren, who registered his first professional goal, accounted for the Anchorage scoring. Larson is one point out of the WCHL scoring lead with 31 points, while his 14 goals matches the total of Long Beach's Chris Kenady for the league pace-setter in that department. Corbin is tied with Kenady for fifth place in the WCHL scoring race at 27 points (12g-15a).
Meanwhile, the final numbers have been recorded for this year's Teddy Bear Toss, in conjunction with the Toys for Tots drive. Exactly 1,302 plush toys rained down on the ice sheet at Sullivan Arena after the Aces scored their first goal in an eventual 3-2 shootout victory over Bakersfield December 8. That total received an added boost at a special "Skate with the Aces" in Wasilla December 10. The U.S. Marine Corps will distribute all toys collected to underprivileged children across Alaska.
"I'm glad the Teddy Bear Toss went so well. Aces' fans have always been so generous," said Toys for Tots Director of Operations GySgt. Ron Holmes. "We look forward to continuing this great tradition next year and supporting the Aces throughout the season, just as they've always supported us during the holidays."
Anchorage, mired in last place since opening the season 1-9, can move ahead of Fresno (8-10-2) by beating the Falcons in regulation Tuesday night at Selland Arena, where the game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. AST start. The Aces open a lengthy homestand Friday and Saturday night back at Sullivan Arena with 7:00 p.m. AST games against the resurgent Gulls.
All games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.anchorageaces.com or www.kfqd.com with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
DATEBOOK
THURSDAY, Dec. 19: Six players will be participating in the "Skate into Reading" program at Tudor Elementary School at 1:30 p.m. The players will read to the children and may be challenged by the teachers to a floor hockey game.
Later that day, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., the Aces will welcome all season ticket-holders and sponsors to Sullivan Arena for a special "Skate with the Players." Food and refreshments will be provided in the VIP area.
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ECHL Stories from December 17, 2002
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