RoadRunners Topple Aces 3-1
March 20, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Kyle Jones had a career-high 38 saves and Gino Guyer had a goal and an assist as the Phoenix RoadRunners defeated the Alaska Aces 3-1 Thursday night in front of 3,033 fans at US Airways Center.
The RoadRunners (27-32-4) opened up scoring at 8:23 of the first period when Daniel Sisca scored from the right circle on the power play. David Rutherford and Michael Wilson assisted. The rest of the period would remain scoreless as Phoenix outshot the Aces 11-9.
"I thought we had a good follow-up to a good effort in Vegas," RoadRunners' Head Coach Brad Church said. "We played hard and did the little things well and stayed composed during the game."
Guyer gave the RoadRunners a 2-0 lead at 14:17 of the second period when he capitalized on a turnover by the Aces (40-22-3) and scored five-hole on Alaska goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux. At 2:43 of the third period Chase Trull set up James McEwan who scored just to the left of Lamoureux. Guyer had the other assist.
"(Jones) has been playing great," Church said, adding that he's improved a lot since the beginning of the season. "The guys are real confident in front of him."
The Aces were able to finally get on the board with 3:03 left in the third when Lance Galbraith scored to the right of Jones. Alexandre Imbeault and Bryan Miller assisted. The Aces then pulled Lamoureux for and extra attacker but were unable to capitalize as the final score would remain 3-1 Phoenix.
"We need to play the same way tomorrow night," Church said of the rematch between the two teams Friday night. "Every game is important and we need to play start to finish."
Alaska out-shot Phoenix 39-28. Jones improved to 7-13-1 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-4 on the power play while Alaska was 0-5 with the man-advantage.
Notes: Phoenix pulled within five points of eighth place Bakersfield with two games in hand in the race for the final playoff spot. The RoadRunners remain 10 points behind the fourth place Utah Grizzlies in the West Division with three games in hand after the Grizzlies defeated Stockton 5-1...Phoenix tied an ECHL club record with their 27th win of the season...Forward P.J. Fenton was re-assigned to AHL Worcester prior to the game...Defenseman Jeremy Swanson was released from his professional try-out offer (PTO) with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League Wednesday and returned to the RoadRunners line-up.
The RoadRunners return to US Airways Center at 7:05 p.m. Friday when they conclude a two-game series against the Alaska Aces.
Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online at ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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