Gus stops 41, but Aces lose anyway, 2-1 in Idaho
January 19, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
BOISE, Idaho - Derek Gustafson stopped a season-high 41 shots, but Alaska failed to muster much of an attack and dropped a 2-1 decision to Idaho in front 5,631, the largest regular season crowd in Qwest Arena history.
In Idaho's 5-3 win Friday, the teams battled to a scoreless deadlock through more than 33 minutes. On Saturday, the 0-0 tie remained intact for nearly 36 minutes, until Idaho's all-star forward, Greg Rallo, flicked in his own rebound with a backhander top shelf at 15:59 of the second period.
The Aces had been out-shot 39-13 through two periods, but Gustafson kept them in the game, and F.P. Guenette deadlocked the contest by converting a breakaway at 6:40 of the final frame, his 10th goal of the year. Having snapped a 3-3 tie the night before, Steelheads rookie Mike Sullivan again came up with the game-winner less than three minutes later, scoring on a backhander to give Idaho a 2-1 lead that held up when another point blank chance for Guenette with less than 30 seconds left in regulation was turned aside by rookie netminder Matt Zaba. Alaska failed to capitalize on any of its five power play chances, marking the first time in 11 games that the Aces (who finished with just 22 shots on goal) failed to register a goal with the man advantage.
Josh Soares will represent Alaska at the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. ADT from Stockton, and also perform for the National Conference in the Skills Competition Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. ADT. Soares will participate in the Rapid Fire and Accuracy Shooting events as well as the Breakaway Relay. The "Voice of the Aces," Jack Michaels, will handle the live play-by-play duties for both the Skills Competition and the All-Star Game, available courtesy of B2 Networks.
The Aces (19-13-5) travel back to Anchorage tomorrow and return to practice Thursday after the ECHL All-Star Break in preparation for a three-game series at Sullivan Arena against West Division-leading Victoria, beginning Friday, January 25 at 7:15 p.m. Saturday's tilt also starts at 7:15 p.m., while Sunday's series finale will begin at 5:05 p.m. Alaska took two of three in Canada against the Salmon Kings prior to Christmas. All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
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