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Florio Injects New Life

February 24, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Anchorage Aces opened their 11-game homestand with an impressive series split against the top-ranked AA team in minor league hockey, including a 2-0 shutout of Idaho, the club's first at home in more than three years.

Friday's whitewash of the Steelheads came in Perry Florio's debut as head coach of the Aces. He replaced Rod Davidson Thursday afternoon, and 24 hours later, watched as Christian Soucy recorded 32 saves in posting the first home shutout by an Anchorage goaltender since Marc Delorme beat Fresno 2-0 December 28, 1999. Kevin McNeill and Dean Larson scored the only goals Soucy would need as the Aces beat Idaho for only the second time in 15 attempts in ending their seven-game losing streak. The Steelheads responded with a 2-1 decision Saturday before more than 4,200 fans. McNeill scored Anchorage's only goal, his fourth in the last five games, all against Idaho.

Larson has been tied for the league lead in scoring by Bakersfield's Paul Willett at 65 points. The two top snipers will match up Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. in Sullivan Arena. Yvan Corbin, held pointless over the weekend, still lingers only one point back in overall scoring and is tied for the league lead in goals with 34. Anchorage begins the week with games tomorrow and Wednesday night in Sullivan at 7:00 p.m. against the Fresno Falcons, who lost 6-5 at Long Beach Sunday but have taken eight straight in the season series and stand at 28-19-5 overall. In addition to the standard 10:00 a.m. pre-game skates at Sullivan, the Aces will be practicing Thursday at Ben Boeke Arena from 10:00-11:30 a.m. All games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.anchorageaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.

PROMOTIONS/SCHOOLS

The Aces will be giving away two more trips for two to Hawaii this week. Both promotions are sponsored by Subway, with co-sponsor ClearChannel for Tuesday's giveaway and New Northwest Broadcasters for Friday. The first 3,000 fans arriving Friday night also will receive a free team poster, courtesy of Guns & Hoses and ICopy. The first 500 children aged 14 & under will receive a free puck, presented by Powerade. The Aces will once again be active in the "Skate into Reading" program this week. Six players participated today at Ursa Major Elementary School, while B.J. Young and Paul Williams will be among those appearing at Chinook Elementary Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

The club will be holding its weekly luncheon Friday at Wayne's Texas BBQ at 36th & C in downtown Anchorage. The luncheons run from 12:45-2:00 p.m. and are open to the media and 50 members of the public, with a nominal charge of $10 per person, which covers the actual lunch. Each member of the public will be eligible for door prizes to be given away at 2:00 after both coaches (Florio and Bakersfield's Paul Kelly) have spoken. All interested parties are asked to RSVP through Brigitte Brakke in the Aces' office at 258-2237 or brigitte@anchorageaces.com.

The Aces, along with Barnes & Noble and Guardian Security, will play host to another night with the Anchorage School District during Saturday's game against Bakersfield. All elementary and middle schools will receive two tickets free for children aged 14 & under with the purchase of one adult ticket. The four schools bringing the most students to the game will take home $100 gift certificates from Barnes & Noble, who also will be represented by "Biscuit the Dog" at the game.

GUNS & HOSES

Anchorage will be holding its third annual "Guns & Hoses" game prior to the Aces' Saturday, March 8 tilt with the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The "Guns & Hoses" game, which matches the Anchorage Fire Department with the Anchorage Police Department, has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with the Aces' game to follow at 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at your local fire station or the APD. Admission is free to the "Guns & Hoses" game with a paid admission to that night's Aces-Ice Dogs contest, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association. Last year, the "Guns & Hoses" game drew more than 2,500 fans to Sullivan Arena and helped raise more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross. For more information regarding tickets, appearances, or upcoming games, please call (907) 258-ACES.

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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.

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