Early Period Woes Doom Alaska
December 28, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
LAS VEGAS - Adam Miller factored in all four Las Vegas goals, scoring three, as the Wranglers earned a split of a weekend series with Alaska by beating the Aces 4-2 before 3,579 Sunday Orleans Arena.
Las Vegas had lost the three previous match-ups between the two clubs, but Chris St. Croix found a streaking Miller down the middle for a breakaway that the rookie out of Michigan State converted just 16 seconds into the game. After the wobbly start, Alaska goalie Marek Schwarz, seeing his first game action since December 3 and making his first start for the Aces this season, settled down and finished with 26 saves.
Schwarz had little chance, however, on the second goal, a power play tally at 13:17 of the second period that came just after Matt Shasby's bid to score the equalizer shorthanded rung off the post. Vegas came the other way and Miller found Chris Neizner, who lifted the puck over the prostrate former first-round NHL draft pick. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the Aces suffered another letdown, allowing Miller to again drive down the middle and rifle a shot over Schwarz just 10 seconds into the frame.
Cam Keith ensured that Wranglers goalie and former Ace John DeCaro would not get the shutout, scoring his ninth goal of the year at 6:57 off a feed from Colin Hemingway, but Alaska pulled no closer. Miller completed the hat trick with an empty-netter at 19:28 to push the margin to 4-1. Jordan Foreman's unassisted goal 12 seconds later accounted for the final score.
The Aces (17-12-1) remain in third place in the West Division behind Victoria and Idaho heading into their three-game series with Stockton this week at Sullivan Arena. Alaska has dropped five of its last six games, but has lost in regulation to the Thunder at home. Stockton did manage a 4-3 win at home after Thanksgiving in the only previous meeting between the two clubs this season. The Aces and Thunder meet Wednesday (New Year's Eve), Friday and Saturday, with all three contests slated for a 7:15 p.m. start. Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage on KFQD AM 750 will begin 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off each night.
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