Connor Jones' power play goal helps Bakersfield escape with 37 seconds left

Published on November 10, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE - Connor Jones' power play goal with 37 seconds left in regulation broke a 3-3 tie and lifted the Bakersfield Condors over the Alaska Aces, 4-3 before 3,165 fans at Sullivan Arena on Sunday.

Ty Rimmer recorded 34 saves and had to hold off an Aces attack that held a two goal lead and posted 32 shots in the first two periods. Bakersfield scored three unanswered goals while both teams traded game-changing goals in the final 3:30.

Quinn Sproule and Brendan Connolly boosted the Aces to an early 2-0 lead in the first period, beginning on Sproule's third goal of the season just after a power play expired at 9:56. Coffman found Sproule at the left circle, who followed his own rebound.

Connolly then buried his first goal of the season off the rush, finishing Chris Francis' rinkwide pass at the bottom of the left circle for a 2-0 bulge with 4:06 left.

Defenseman Graeme Craig followed by converting pivotal goal, a rebound at the right post, to cut the Aces' lead to 2-1 with 2:53 left in the period. Chase Schaber then followed up with his third goal of the season just 57 seconds into the second period, leveling the game at 2-2 from the left circle with a wrister under the crossbar.

Just over three minutes later, the Aces failed to clear the defensive zone and Nick MacNeil capitalized on a bouncer off Andy Iles' left pad for a 3-2 lead just 4:03 into the period.

The Aces responded by outshooting Bakersfield, 15-5 in the second period. Ty Rimmer's biggest save came on a snap shot by Olivier Archambault, wide open in the slot with four minutes left in the period.

With 3:27 left in regulation, Archambault coasted through traffic into the Bakersfield zone and beat Rimmer from the right circle for a 3-3 tie. But Bakersfield earned a late power play on a Colten Hayes holding penalty for contact in the left corner with Kellen Jones.

On the ensuing power play, Kellen Jones found Schaber in the slot, whose bid deflected off Connor Jones at the goal mouth with 37 seconds left for the shocking go-ahead goal. But the Aces had one more chance and nearly tied the game before time expired, when Archambault and Connolly nearly engineered a perfect give-and-go at the right goal post that Rimmer denied with a sprawling pad save with 16 seconds left.

The loss dropped Iles' record to 1-3-0 and he made 23 saves.

NOTES: The Aces scratched Dustin Molle, Justin Breton, Tyler Currier, Bryan Cameron and Jacob Doty ... the Aces, one night after converting at 2-of-6, were held to 0-of-5 on the power play ... they outshot Bakersfield, 37-27 ... Wolfe's assist extended his scoring streak to six consecutive games.

The Aces return to play in Boise for a two-game series starting Tuesday against the host Idaho Steelheads, beginning at 5:15pm (GCI/KFQD) at CenturyLink Arena.

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 www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey and on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.

Three Stars:

1. BAK - C. Jones

2. BAK - C. Schaber

3. AK - O. Archambault

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