Miller Beats Victoria in Final Minute

February 12, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Bryan Miller snapped a 3-3 tie with the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation as Alaska pulled within four points of first-place Victoria with a 4-3 victory over the Salmon Kings before 3,563 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena.

Miller had scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the first meeting between the two clubs back on November 19 in Victoria. His decisive goal Wednesday came with 57.2 seconds remaining and gives the Aces a 6-4 edge in the season series, including four straight wins. Alaska has posted seven consecutive victories at Sullivan Arena all by two goals or less, and owns a league-best record of 18-5-1 on home ice.

The Aces began Wednesday's game by matching their shot total from Sunday's 3-2 loss in Stockton, firing 21 against Salmon Kings goalie Todd Ford. The 21 shots marked a season-high for one period by Alaska and a season-high for shots against in one period against Victoria. Vladimir Novak beat Ford off the rush with a wrist shot low glove from the left circle at 7:32. The Aces enjoyed plenty of rebound opportunities all night, and Scott Burt pounced on one with Alaska on the power play at 12:58 for a 2-0 lead after the first period.

The Salmon Kings had been out-shot 28-13 when, in a span of 71 seconds, they tied the game on goals by Adam Taylor and Chris St. Jacques midway through the second period. The equalizer came on a centering pass that St. Jacques had intended for linemate Darryl Lloyd, only to see the puck carom off Brett Hemingway's skate and behind Alaska starter Kevin Regan, making his home debut in an Aces sweater.

Jordan Foreman, who had been scratched in 15 of his last 16 games broke the 2-2 tie by roofing another rebound over a prostrate Ford with 10:33 left in the game. But Matt Kelly found Lloyd with a cross-ice pass back door for the game-tying goal with 2:55 remaining, and the opener of this four-game series appeared destined for overtime. Miller's goal came after a turnover by former Ace Olivier Filion and another flurry in front of Ford.

Alaska (28-18-3) and Victoria take tomorrow off before resuming the series Friday and Saturday at 7:15 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee at 5:05 p.m. The Salmon Kings (29-16-5 overall) are winless in their last six games dating to January 27. All three games this weekend will be broadcast live on KFQD AM 750, with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.



ECHL Stories from February 12, 2009


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