Murphy snaps leash on Dogs
Published on February 21, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Dan Murphy matched his season-high with 38 saves as a depleted Alaska lineup cobbled together just enough offense to squeak past Long Beach 3-1 in front of 4,689 at Sullivan Arena.
The Aces, missing four players due to injury and two more as a result of AHL promotions, managed just 19 shots on goal for the second straight game against the Ice Dogs. In fact, Alaska did not register a shot until the 12:55 mark of the first period, when Jonathan Gauthier's slap shot from just inside the blue line beat Long Beach starter T.J. Aceti. The Ice Dogs deadlocked the contest when Jerome Marois flicked in a rebound with 2:04 left in the opening frame, but Long Beach had to settle for a 1-1 tie despite outshooting Alaska 14-3 over the first 20 minutes.
The Aces grabbed the lead for good when Joe Talbot wheeled around the net and snapped a wrister past Aceti blocker side at 7:21 of the second period for his 22nd goal of the year, tied for tops among ECHL rookies. Mike Forsland, playing only his fourth professional game after putting a full day in the office at his regular job as a real estate appraiser, set up Alaska's final goal, a perfect redirection by Shane Palahicky over Aceti's right shoulder five minutes into the final period. Murphy stopped all 15 shots he faced over the final 20 minutes, and the Aces erased all five power play opportunities for the Ice Dogs to secure the victory despite being outshot 39-19.
With the win, Alaska (29-18-4) remains four points behind third-place Idaho and climbs within six points of second-place Las Vegas, while Long Beach sinks to 17-30-4 overall. The series continues tomorrow night at Sullivan with a 7:00 p.m. face-off, followed by the series finale Sunday, also at 7:00 p.m. AST. This weekend's games will be broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM and at www.alaskaaces.com, with Jack Michaels calling the play-by-play. Coverage begins 20 minutes prior to the opening face-off, presented by GCI.
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- Murphy snaps leash on Dogs - Alaska Aces
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