Larson, Florio Magic Runs Out
Published on March 16, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â San Diego scored twice early in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and held off a furious Anchorage rally to scrape out a 4-3 verdict before a sellout crowd of 6,410 Saturday night at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces enjoyed their first sellout since the 1998-99 season as more than 200 standing-room-only customers packed Sullivan to watch Dean Larson perform for the final time at home. He was held pointless, however, and San Diego began to spoil the party just 1:12 into the game, as Bruce Watson deflected a Bryan Vines shot past Anchorage goaltender Ryan Person. Watson, who had arrived hours before last night's game and delivered a goal and an assist for the Gulls in an eventual shootout loss, set up R.J. Enga at 7:12 for a 2-0 lead. Ty Jones whittled the deficit in half 16 seconds later with his first goal in an Anchorage jersey, courtesy of a centering pass from Carl Drakensjo.
Yvan Corbin tied the game with 1:31 left in the second period on an Anchorage power play, but San Diego struck quickly with two goals in a span of 4:20 to open the final period. Former Ace Clayton Read took a feed from Watson and scored barely 90 seconds into the frame to push the Gulls back in front 3-2. Shortly thereafter, with San Diego in the midst of a power play, Kimbi Daniels had a shorthanded breakaway that would have deadlocked the contest once again, only to be turned away by Gulls' netminder Cris Classen. On the ensuing rush, Watson blasted a slap shot that beat Person blocker side for a goal that proved to be the game-winner when Corbin notched his league-leading 44th of the year at 7:32. Anchorage had a five-minute power play later in the period, but San Diego limited the Aces to one shot on that man advantage to seal the victory and end Anchorage's four-game win streak.
The Aces, 7-3-1 under Perry Florio and 19-42-3 overall, will finish their 2002-03 season with eight consecutive games on the road, beginning next Friday at Fresno, with the face-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. AST. All games are broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.anchorageaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
ECHL Stories from March 16, 2003
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- Condors lose in final minute - Bakersfield Condors
- Cyclones Drop Close One to Bombers - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Florida Takes Three of Four Weekend Points - Florida Everblades
- Ice Pilots Play Home Monday Night vs Jackson at 6:05 PM - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- All Along the Coast - ECHL
- Larson, Florio Magic Runs Out - Alaska Aces
- Condors Can't Hang On, Lose 3-2 - Bakersfield Condors
- McBain's Goals Not Enough - Fresno Falcons
- Gulls Hold On To 4-3 Win - San Diego Gulls
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