Hafner Stands Tall But Aces Drop Shootout

December 17, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Hafner Stands Tall But Aces Drop Shootout
Hafner Stands Tall But Aces Drop Shootout
(Alaska Aces, Credit: John F. Howe)

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI - Kyle Schempp scored the only goal of the shootout, and Missouri erased three Alaska leads on their way to a 4-3 win Friday night at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.

No scoring in the first period. The Aces had a handful of good scoring opportunities, but either shot the puck wide or were stopped by Missouri goaltender Ville Husso. Shots on goal were even at 8.

Alaska broke the scoreless tie at 5:17 of the second. Tommy Olczyk swatted home a puck centered by Stephen Perfetto who made the big circle from right boards to blueline to left circle before delivering to Olczyk. The goal was his 5th of the season. Peter Sivak also assisted.

Missouri would answer at 6:29 on Darren Nowick's seventh goal of the season, batting in a rebound of a Dane Fox shot.

Danny Moynihan would put the Aces up 2-1 with his redirect of a Marc-Andre Levesque slap-pass at 16:46. Sivak also got a helper on the play.

The Mavericks would waste no time tying the game at 2 in the third period. Just 30 seconds into the frame, Nowick collected his second goal of the game, eighth of the season.

Just over 4 minutes later, Justin Breton found the back of the net on assists from Garet Hunt and Steve Tarasuk, his 5th goal of the season, to give Alaska a 3-2 lead.

That lead lasted about three minutes. Sam Povorozniuk busted up the right wing, beat the defense and Aces goaltender Lukas Hafner at 7:51 and regulation time ended at 3-3.

No goals in the overtime but plenty of chances, including an Aces 3 on 0 breakaway that was turned aside by Husso..

In the shootout, Schempp sniped top shelf, stick side to end the shootout after 8 shooters. Alaska was 0-4 in the skills competition.

Missouri outshot the Aces 32-21 for the game. It was Hafner's second straight start that went to a shootout, with Alaska losing both times.

The Mavericks were 0-3 on the power play...Alaska 0-2.

The Aces and Mavericks will play again at 4:05pm Alaska time Saturday at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.




Images from this story

Hafner Stands Tall But Aces Drop Shootout
Hafner Stands Tall But Aces Drop Shootout
(John F. Howe)		   



ECHL Stories from December 17, 2016


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.

OurSports Central