Erickson leads Aces comeback
November 16, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Luke Erickson scored twice in the second period to give Alaska a lead it never relinquished in a 4-1 win over Utah in front of a season-best 5,312 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces (6-1 at home, 9-2-1 overall) are now just one victory shy of matching the team's all-time best start, set by the 1996-97 club that began the year 10-2-1. Alaska has given up just seven goals during its current 6-0-1 streak, with goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux starting all of those games and posting a 0.98 GAA and a .967 save percentage over that period of time.
Unlike Friday's 5-1 win, the Aces needed to rally on Saturday, as Tim Verbeek scored just 1:22 into the game, giving Utah a 1-0 edge that held up until midway through the second period, when Cam Keith found Erickson off the rush for the equalizer. Corbin Schmidt set up the go-ahead goal with time running out in the middle frame, weaving through the Grizzlies and slipping a pass to Erickson, who again beat Utah goalie Mike Mole with 1:08 remaining in the period.
Now leading 2-1, Alaska stifled the Grizzlies in the third period, limiting the visitors to just four shots on goal. Bryan Miller's wrist shot from the right circle, set up by Keith, clinched the victory with 1:34 left in regulation. Matt Shasby's empty-netter 25 seconds later accounted for the final margin. Keith, who became a father Tuesday, has at least one assist in each of his last seven games. Lamoureux finished with 27 saves and continues to lead the ECHL in wins, shutouts, minutes played, and total saves.
Alaska's leading scorer, Josh Soares, and defenseman T.J. Fast flew to the team's AHL affiliate in Peoria prior to Saturday's game and likely will be in the lineup for the Rivermen tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Aces bid for a series sweep of the Grizzlies (6-5) tomorrow at 5:05 p.m., with the traditional Fred Meyer postgame "Skate with the Aces" to follow. Alaska has won its last three meetings with Utah by a combined score of 14-2. Sunday's finale will be broadcast live on the flagship home of Aces hockey, KFQD 750 AM, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage beginning at 4:45 p.m.
ECHL Stories from November 16, 2008
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- Cyclones Lose at Reading, 5-3 - Cincinnati Cyclones
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- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Erickson leads Aces comeback - Alaska Aces
- Steelheads Fall In Vegas - Idaho Steelheads
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- Constant nets two goals in Thunder OT win - Stockton Thunder
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