New League, Old Nemesis - Aces v. Falcons
October 20, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â Weary of beating up on one another, the Alaska Aces eagerly await the arrival of the Fresno Falcons and what should be a physical three-game series this weekend at Sullivan Arena.
Fresno already has a victory under its belt, courtesy of rookie Nolan Schaefer, who stopped 23 shots as the Falcons blanked Bakersfield on the road last Friday in the ECHL debut for both teams, 3-0. The Aces, meanwhile, were the only team in the 31-member ECHL not to open its season last weekend. Alaska managed just one win in seven tries against Fresno last year at Sullivan Arena but still owns a 38-35-7 edge in the overall series, which dates to the inception of the West Coast Hockey League in 1995.
With 80 games played, the Aces have played the Falcons more than any team in the club's professional history. Alaska has played Bakersfield on 79 occasions and San Diego 75. Perhaps the most famous (or infamous) series between Alaska and Fresno occurred in the 1997 Taylor Cup Finals, when the Aces prevailed in the fifth and deciding game played in Anchorage after the Falcons were forced to forfeit the fourth game, which they had won in regulation while using an ineligible player.
Alaska already has sold 1,311 season tickets to date, exactly 500 more than a year ago. Single-game and group tickets are now on sale to the general public. In a scheduling change, the Aces will be practicing tomorrow and Wednesday at Ben Boeke Arena, beginning at 10:00 a.m., before heading to Eagle River's McDonald Center for a Thursday session at 10:00 a.m. The team will be offering 2003-04 magnetic schedules to the first 5,000 fans arriving at Sullivan Arena for Friday's 7:00 p.m. season opener, courtesy of ACS Wireless.
Saturday and Sunday's games, and all regular season contests at Sullivan, also will begin at 7:00 p.m. All games are 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.
ECHL Stories from October 20, 2003
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