Lundstrom records 30 saves in one-goal defeat

December 13, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Matt Case's go-ahead goal at 4:06 of the third period stood as the eventual game winning goal to help the Idaho Steelheads sneak by the Alaska Aces, 2-1 before 4,584 fans at CenturyLink Arena on Friday night.

Idaho took only their second win in five games in the head-to-head series this season and Colten Hayes logged the only Aces goal in the second period. Former Aces netminder Olivier Roy won his first game in three tries against his old club with 22 saves.

Niklas Lundstrom, who stymied Idaho with three impressive saves in the final 40 minutes, made 30 saves in the defeat.

For the third game in a row, the Aces were forced to battle from behind after surrendering a goal on the first shot of the game. Brett Robinson lifted his second goal of the season to the upper glove side corner on Niklas Lundstrom, just 1:35 into the contest and the Aces were forced to climb out of the hole after being outshot 10-2 in the first 20 minutes of play.

Colten Hayes drew the Aces even, 1-1 with 5:33 left in the second on a one-timer from the left point, set up by Raphael Bussieres (who logged his fifth point in three games since joining the Aces from the Iowa Wild).

With the Aces recovering on consistent even-strength play, outshooting Idaho 9-8 in the second period, another relatively early Idaho goal by Matt Case put the Steelheads out front, 2-1 at 4:06 of the final period. Lundstrom appeared to smother a backdoor, one-timer, but Case was awarded his first goal of the season on a scramble at the goal mouth.

Lundstrom made a pair of dazzling saves in the period to keep the Aces in the game, allowing a 6-on-5 situation in the final minute. Idaho survived the attack which included a Brendan Connolly chance at the left circle with nine seconds left.



ECHL Stories from December 13, 2014


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