Capacity Crowd Sees Alaska Move Into First Place

Published on February 28, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Jean-Philippe Lamoureux stopped all 18 shots he faced to earn his league-leading 25th victory and sixth shutout in a 2-0 Alaska whitewash of Utah in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 6,451 Friday night at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces (33-20-3 overall) claimed their third straight win to move into sole possession of first place in the West Division for the first time since mid-December. Alaska has won 10 of its last 11 games in Anchorage and leads the ECHL with a 21-6-1 record on home ice. The Grizzlies (21-19-5) have lost five straight games to the Aces by a combined score of 24-6. The teams will practice Saturday before battling once more Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

Meeting for the first time since mid-November, neither club scored in the first period, and the 0-0 tie held until late in the second, even as Alaska gradually gained control of the game. Finally, in a delayed penalty situation, Lance Galbraith, operating from behind the Utah net, found Brett Hemingway for a one-timer from the right circle. Hemingway's blast beat Grizzlies goalie Mike Mole at 13:43 and punctuated a middle frame in which the hosts out-shot the visitors 19-5.

The third period proved to be more of the same, with the Aces holding a 15-6 bulge in shots and finally putting the game away when Galbraith slipped a pass across the crease to Colin Hemingway, making his return to the Alaska lineup after a four-game stint with Providence (AHL). Hemingway's team-leading 19th goal of the year came with 4:47 left in regulation at the tail end of a five-on-three power play for the Aces, who have scored six times with the man advantage in their last four contests.

Lamoureux cruised to his fifth win in six starts this season against the Grizzlies, while Mole fell to 0-5 against Alaska despite 41 saves. Like Galbraith, Matt Shasby assisted on both goals. The Aces now lead the West by one point over idle Victoria and by four over Idaho, who lost in Stockton Friday night. Sunday's rematch between Alaska and Utah will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage beginning at 4:45 p.m.

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