Coffman, Bussieres and Syvret earn multi point games in series finale

Published on December 21, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Frans Tuohimaa stopped all five shooters, along with 26 saves to help the Bakersfield Condors sneak past the Alaska Aces, 4-3 in a shootout before 4,482 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night.

The Aces, extending their unbeaten streak (in regulation) to eight games, led 3-1 in the third period, squandered on back-to-back goals by Kellen Jones and Brendan Brooks in the final 5:50 of regulation. Tim Coffman returned to the lineup to score twice while Corey Syvret and Raphael Bussieres each registered two assists.

Connor Jones scored on the first shift of the game, a rebound at the left post and off his skate just 26 seconds in for a 1-0 lead. Coffman responded at 3:27 for a 1-1 tie when buried a loose puck at the crease, fed by Corbin Baldwin from the blueline to snap a 19-game goal-scoring drought.

Coffman's second goal of the game, a snapper from the inside of the right circle, put the Aces ahead 2-1 with 5:02 left in the period.

Bakersfield threatened with a pair of quality looks at the net in the final minutes of the second period, including Chase Schaber's bid from the left circle that Niklas Lundstrom snagged with his glove to keep the one-goal lead intact.

Archambault appeared to put the Aces in the driver's seat with a breakaway goal, with 6:55 left in regulation but Bakersfield responded just 1:05 later. Kellen Jones cleaned up a rebound between the circles for his seventh goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

One night after Bakersfield head coach J.F. Houle pulled Tuohimaa with less than four minutes left in regulation, he brought on the extra attacker with less than 90 seconds left and capitalized on Brooks' seventh goal of the season with 1:10 left. Joe Marciano's point shot was kicked out by Lundstrom, but Brooks fought off the defense at the crease to tie the game.

The Aces, however, appeared to threaten for the winner in overtime after Colten Hayes drew a double-minor, high-sticking penalty in the opening seconds. The 4-on-3 power play was limited to a blast by Olivier Archambault in the high slot, and the teams headed to a shootout.

Lundstrom and Tuohimaa traded saves until Sebastien Sylvestre snuck a backhander through Lundstrom in the fourth round. Connolly was stopped by Tuohimaa's pad in the fifth round, ending the game.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Quinn Sproule, Ryan Tesink, Justin Breton and Bryan Cameron ... Archambault netted his 14th point in 7 games, in the series ... Lundstrom appeared in net for the 15th time in the last 16 games ... the Aces moved to 3-4-1 vs. Bakersfield this season.

The Aces return to play from the holiday break on New Year's Eve, 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD) at Sullivan Arena against the Utah Grizzlies.

For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey and on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.

Three Stars:

1. BAK - S. Sylvestre

2. AK - T. Coffman

3. BAK - B. Brooks

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