Coleman wins third straight with 24 saves to open homestand
January 30, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Goaltender Gerald Coleman made 24 saves to preserve a 2-1 victory for the Alaska Aces (26-10-3, 55 points) over the Idaho Steelheads at Sullivan Arena on Friday.
The Aces, improving to 8-1-2 in the last 11 games while extending their lead to six points over Colorado for first place in the Mountain Division, were aided by a goal in Jordan Kremyr's return from the AHL and Tommy Mele's eventual game winner in the third period. They outshot Idaho, 44-25.
Nick Mazzolini had an apparent goal overturned in the first period, while starting goaltender Brad Phillips of Idaho suffered an injury on the play that forced his early exit. The Aces jumped on the cold Josh Watson with 18 shots in the first period and finally broke through on Kremyr's 10th goal of the season with 2:48 when he finished a two-on-one break from Eli Zuck at the left circle.
Coleman kept Idaho at bay with eight saves in the first period, including a breakaway stop on Tommy Grant.
Watson settled in and turned away all 14 shots in the second period but the Aces finally earned the key insurance goal when Mele finished Mathew Sisca's brilliant centering pass from between the circles at 2:19 of the third period.
Grant spoiled Coleman's shutout bid on the ensuing shift, cutting the Aces lead to 2-1 when he buried a shot off the rush from the left circle at the 2:52 mark.
Coleman remained sharp for the duration of the game and earned a key glove save on Grant with nine minutes remaining in regulation. The Aces killed off Idaho's chances when Eli Zuck, chasing a loose puck to center ice on an empty net bid, was tripped by Mitch Wahl at the red line with 45 seconds left in regulation.
Watson took the loss on 31 saves.
NOTES: The Aces scratched James Martin, Andy Taranto, Corey Syvret, Tim Coffman and David Eddy ... defenseman Zach McKelvie made his Aces debut with five shots on goal ... the Aces improved to 5-2-2 in the head-to-head series against Idaho ... since his season debut (five goals allowed in a 6-5 overtime loss at San Francisco), Coleman is 3-0 with a .948 save percentage in three appearances.
The two teams meet again in a rematch on Friday at 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD). Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
Three Stars:
1. AK - T. Mele
2. AK - G. Coleman
3. IDH - J. Watson
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from January 30, 2014
- Shorthanded Goals Doom Orlando to 3-1 Loss - Orlando Solar Bears
- Shorthanded Success Stymies Solar Bears - Atlanta Gladiators
- Center Parent Recalled to AHL Syracuse - Florida Everblades
- K-Wings Host Van Andel Institute Purple Community Game - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - January 30 - ECHL
- Game Preview: Solar Bears at Gwinnett Gladiators - January 30 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Expanded TV Coverage Unveiled for ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend - Alaska Aces
- Thunder to be Featured on National and Local Television - Stockton Thunder
- Hockey Heritage Weekend TV Broadcast Available in over 69 Million Households - ECHL
- Grizzlies Release Revised Schedule for Remainder of 2013-2014 Season - Utah Grizzlies
- Stingrays Send Rempel to Las Vegas for Future Considerations - South Carolina Stingrays
- Wranglers Trade for Rempel - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Komets Acquire Bulls' Leading Scorer Dean Ouellet - Fort Wayne Komets
- Gladiators Host Solar Bears Tonight - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Today - January30 - ECHL
- Coleman wins third straight with 24 saves to open homestand - Alaska Aces
- Tough-Luck Steelheads Run out of Time in Alaska - Idaho Steelheads
- Eagles Defeated by Reign 4-2 - Colorado Eagles
- Reign Ground Eagles with 4-2 Win - Ontario Reign
- Grizzlies Set All-Time Home Unbeaten Record with 2-1 Win over Las Vegas - Utah Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
