Kana Scores in Final Minute to Salvage Point
Published on January 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Tomas Kana scored with 13 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, but Ryan Huddy answered with his second goal of the game to lift Stockton over Alaska, 2-1, before 4,490 Saturday night at Sullivan Arena.
New head coach Matt Thomas and the Thunder, who had lost five straight entering the three-game series, earned five of a possible six points, while the Aces (18-13-2) settled for three. Alaska climbs to within two points of second-place Idaho in the West Division but still trails front-runner Victoria by 10 after the Salmon Kings beat Bakersfield for their 12th straight victory on Saturday.
Playing without suspended captain Scott Burt, the Aces quickly fell behind at 2:10 of the first period when Cleve Kinley set up Huddy for a one-timer on a Stockton power play. But the Thunder failed on their next nine chances with the man advantage, and while Alaska failed to capitalize on any of its four power plays, the game remained 1-0 in favor of the visitors until the closing seconds.
With Marek Schwarz (21 saves) having been pulled in favor of the extra attacker, Stockton twice failed on empty net chances, including a two-on-one that was broken up by Matt Shasby, a play that eventually led to the Aces working the puck behind the Thunder net, where Cam Keith found an open Kana in the slot for the equalizer, denying Bryan Pitton (17 stops) his first professional shutout. The winner came directly off a turnover behind the Alaska net 1:19 into the extra session, with Huddy one-timing a loose puck in the slot between the pads of Schwarz.
Alaska hits the road for three games next week, beginning in Ontario Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. ADT and continuing in Bakersfield with a pair against the Condors Friday and Saturday, also at 6:00 p.m. ADT. The Aces split a pair with the Reign in California earlier this year and lost two out of three to Bakersfield at home last month. All three games will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
ECHL Stories from January 4, 2009
- Salmon Kings Get 13th Win in a Row with Sweep of Condors - Victoria Salmon Kings
- First Line Powers Stingrays Past Sea Wolves, 4-1 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Stingrays Bump Off Sea Wolves 4-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Condors Fall to Salmon Kings to End Road Trip - Bakersfield Condors
- Royals Dropped by Bombers, 6-2 - Reading Royals
- Reaney Leads Bombers to 6-2 Win Over Reading - Dayton Bombers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Kids Tickets Just $5 Today as Rays Host Mississippi at 5pm - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Huddy pours in two goals, including winner 1:19 into sudden-death OT - Stockton Thunder
- Kana Scores in Final Minute to Salvage Point - Alaska Aces
- Steelheads Fall To Ontario, 2-0 - Idaho Steelheads
- Reign Rebound To Shutout Steelheads - Ontario Reign
- Wranglers Nipped By Grizzlies 3-2 In a Shootout - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies Win 3-2 In Las Vegas Shootout - Utah Grizzlies
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