'Catters spoil Aces pre-season opener, 5-3
October 11, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Marco Rosa polished off a hat trick with a shorthanded goal late in the third period to cement a 5-3 Texas pre-season victory over Alaska in front of 5,662 at Sullivan Arena.
The teams played on pink ice and while Texas sported its regular game jerseys, the Aces donned their commemorative pink sweaters in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness month. A portion of the proceeds from the two pre-season games played this week will be donated to the Alaska chapter of the American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Focus, Inc. Tomorrow night's game already has been sold out, but fans are encouraged to call the Aces ticket office at 258-2237 beginning at 8:00 a.m. to check on standing room availability. 200 standing room only tickets were placed on sale immediately following Wednesday's game.
Rosa's first goal Wednesday came just 12 seconds into the contest, set up by an Alaska turnover and a well-placed pass in front of the net by Rosa's linemate, Dan Welch, who finished the game with four assists. Bo Cheesman, signed by the Aces after playing last year in Long Beach, tied the game 1-1 at the 8:52 mark on a rush from the left wing. Matt Robinson (21 goals last year for Alaska), gave the home team a brief 2-1 lead at 1:27 of the second period, but Rosa deadlocked the contest with a power play goal of the night six minutes later and Jonathan Paiement pushed the Wildcatters in front for good at 13:13 with a power play goal of his own.
Chris Beckford-Tseu, the starter in net for the Aces, misplayed a loose puck early in the third period that Brandon Benedict shoveled home for a 4-2 Texas lead less than two minutes into the final period. Alaska scored its only power play goal in 10 chances on a one-timer by defenseman Bryan Miller with 14:08 still remaining to climb within 4-3. But in the midst of another power play and an opportunity to tie the game, the Aces instead saw Rosa and Welch break in on a two-on-one, with the former beating a helpless Beckford-Tseu with 3:51 remaining. Both teams managed 23 shots on goal, and, of course, the game marked Keith McCambridge's debut as head coach.
Tomorrow night's rematch will be broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with live coverage getting underway at 7:00, 15 minutes before the scheduled face-off. The Aces open their regular season October 23 in Fresno at 6:05 p.m. AST, while the home opener has been scheduled for Friday, November 2, at 7:15 p.m., against the Florida Everblades in the first of a three-game series.
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