Riddle the answer as Alaska nips Fresno, 3-2

April 4, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Troy Riddle scored his first two goals in an Alaska sweater as the Aces beat the Fresno Falcons for the fifth straight time this season, 3-2, before 3,428 at the Save-Mart Center.

After a scoreless first period in which Alaska out-shot Fresno 13-7, the Aces finally broke through against Fresno rookie goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten, making his first professional start. Alex Leavitt, who had been selected to the ECHL all-rookie team earlier in the day, fed Riddle in front for a tap-in at 7:49 of the middle frame. Pete Fregoe tied the game with a backhander 48 seconds later, but Riddle gave Alaska the lead for good with 2:17 left in the period, scoring off the rush, courtesy of Leavitt, who handed out his 63rd assist to take over the lead in the ECHL scoring race.

Matt Shasby scored what turned out to be the game-winner on a one-timer from the high slot with 7:17 left in regulation. His sixth goal of the year rendered Fregoe's second of the night meaningless, as the Falcons pulled within a goal by scoring in a six-on-four situation with 16.8 seconds remaining but never threatened to tie. Matt Underhill collected his 34th win between the pipes with 24 saves.

The Aces, 51-11-7 and still up by a point over Las Vegas (7-1 winners over Phoenix Tuesday) with a game in hand, continue their four-game road trip to close out the regular season tomorrow night at Stockton, where the last-place Thunder has gone 9-5-3 in its last 17 games. Face-off at Stockton Arena has been set for 6:00 p.m. AST. All Alaska Aces games are broadcast live on KFQD AM 750 and at www.alaskaaces.com, where all home games and selected road contests also are available on a pay-per-view basis, courtesy of B2 Networks.



ECHL Stories from April 4, 2006


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