Games one and two telecast live statewide on GCI

May 21, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The first two games of the 2009 Kelly Cup Finals will be telecast statewide on GCI Cable Channel 1, including the Anchorage bowl.

The announcement means that at least the first five games of this best-of-seven ECHL championship series will be simulcast live on KFQD 750 AM and GCI Cable Channel 1, produced by KTUU. Jack Michaels and John Carpenter will call the action, with live coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday. Some seats and standing room only remain available at Sullivan Arena for those interested in attending this weekend's games in person.

The Stingrays and Aces have only met four times in team history; twice in the 2004 regular season, when Alaska managed one point of a possible four in games that were played in North Charleston, and twice during this past pre-season, when the Aces beat South Carolina 3-2 in overtime October 8 before dropping a 5-1 decision the following night. Going into tomorrow, Alaska has won 12 straight and 23 of its last 25 games at home, with its six playoff victories in Anchorage coming by a combined score of 21-3.

Alaska has out-scored its opposition 52-22 in winning 12 of 14 playoff games to advance to the ECHL championship round for the second time in four seasons. The Aces claimed the 2006 Kelly Cup by beating Gwinnett in five games. South Carolina has won two Kelly Cups and will be looking for a record third after sweeping defending ECHL champion Cincinnati in the American Conference Finals. Coupled with Alaska's four-game rout of Las Vegas, the two sweeps marked the first time since 1989, the initial year of ECHL hockey, that two teams had marched into the championship round by virtue of a sweep.

The Aces and Stingrays (based in Charleston, S.C.) are separated by a record 4,517 miles, the greatest distance between ECHL playoff opponents in league history. Only six players who dressed in the pre-season match-up remain with the Stingrays, who are anchored on defense by Patrick Wellar, who played two seasons with the Aces and played a pivotal role on their 2006 Kelly Cup championship team.

Alaska heads to South Carolina for Games Three, Four, and Five (if necessary) May 27, 29, and 30 at 3:05 p.m. AT, with live coverage on KFQD 750 AM and GCI Cable Channel 1 getting underway at 2:45 p.m. The series returns to Anchorage for Games Six and Seven (if necessary) June 4 and June 5.

2009 KELLY CUP FINALS (all times AT):

Game 1: Tomorrow--South Carolina @ Alaska 7:15 Game 2: Saturday--South Carolina @ Alaska 7:15 Game 3: Wednesday--Alaska at South Carolina 3:05 Game 4: Friday, May 29--Alaska at South Carolina 3:05 Game 5: Saturday, May 30--Alaska at South Carolina (if necessary) 3:05 Game 6: Thursday, June 4--South Carolina @ Alaska (if necessary) 7:15 Game 7: Friday, June 5--South Carolina @ Alaska (if necessary) 7:15



ECHL Stories from May 21, 2009


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