Idaho slips by at Sullivan Arena on pair of third period goals
February 2, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Johnny McGuire's first career ECHL goal broke a 2-2 tie in the third period and the Idaho Steelheads slipped by the Alaska Aces (27-11-3, 57 points), 4-2 before 5,253 fans at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.
The loss ended the Aces seven game unbeaten streak (home) in regulation and dropped their head-to-head record to 6-3-2 against Idaho. Their top line of Nick Mazzolini, Peter Sivak and Brendan Connolly combined for five points - all in the first 20 minutes.
Damon Kipp got Idaho on the board at 4:29, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown when he took Rob Linsmayer's feed to the high slot and buried a wrister for his first goal of the season.
The Aces responded with Sivak's team-leading 14th goal at 7:27, converting Nick Mazzolini's centering pass from behind the net which was brilliantly played off Kipp's skate.
Connolly then stashed a power play goal, a backhander under the crossbar at 16:43 for a 2-1 on another helper by Mazzolini from behind the net.
Idaho had an answer - Tommy Grant's 15th goal for a 2-2 tie. Grant took off behind the Aces defense, cut to the right post and converted Brett Robinson's feed from the left wing at 13:39 of the second period.
The Aces regrouped and seemingly took a 3-2 lead early in the third period, but Brad Richard's poke at a rebound, which slipped under a pile and across the goal line, was waved off by the officials.
Two shifts later, McGuire broke the tie on a rebound at the net, set up by Linsmayer at 3:10 for a 3-2 edge.
The Aces pulled Coleman for a 6-on-5 attack in the final minute and pressured the Idaho zone, but a clearing attempt hit the stick of Linsmayer, who buried an empty net goal with 20 seconds left.
Coleman took his first regulation loss of the season with 25 saves.
NOTES: The Aces scratched James Martin, Andy Taranto, Corey Syvret, Tim Coffman, Phillip Ischi, Ben Parker and David Eddy ... Jordan Morrison made his Aces debut and recorded a shot on goal ... Idaho went through the first two periods without a power play and managed just one for the entire game ... the Aces took their first home loss in regulation since a 3-0 defeat to Ontario on Dec. 31.
The Aces return to play next Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD) with their first meeting of the season against the Stockton Thunder at Sullivan Arena. Season ticket and sponsorship packages are currently available through the Aces office at 15th & Gambell. For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.
Three Stars:
1. IDH - R. Linsmayer
2. IDH - J. McGuire
3. AK - P. Sivak
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