Back from the Brink, Aces Stun Rivermen
October 30, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Mark Smith, who had scored the game-winner Sunday, set up the game-winning goal with a perfect pass to Mike Scott with 2:11 left in a 4-3 Alaska victory over Peoria before 2,797 Wednesday night at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces outplayed the Rivermen for most of the first 10 minutes, but stumbled badly in the latter half of the period as Peoria scored three goals in a span of 6:39. Jeff Zehr beat Alaska starter Dan Murphy with a shot that trickled off the goaltender's pads and into the back of the net at the 11:46 mark. In a four-on-four situation, Brendan Brooks skated over the blue line and ripped a slap shot just underneath the crossbar at 17:10. On a power play with 1:35 left in the first period, Randy Rowe blasted another slapper top shelf for a 3-0 lead in the Rivermen's favor.
Peoria (2-2-1) wasted a couple of power play chances to start the second, keeping the Aces in the game, and when Smith tipped in a Louis Mass shot from the point at 12:11, Alaska came alive. The goal ended a shutout streak of 123:33 for Peoria netminder Mike Valley. Chris Lipsett punched in a Ryan Bast rebound with 2:10 left in the middle frame to trim the deficit to 3-2, and when Dave Csumrik's one-timer found the range with 28.8 seconds remaining before intermission, the game was suddenly tied heading into the final stanza.
Both teams clamped down defensively in the third period, but Smith found himself open after the Aces had won a battle in the corner. He promptly dished the puck to the left circle, where Scott was waiting to snap it past Valley. Peoria managed just six shots over the final 20 minutes and 22 for the game, while Alaska had five and 25, respectively.
The Aces (3-1) and Rivermen take tomorrow off before continuing the three-game series Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. All Alaska games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
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