Round One to San Diego
Published on January 10, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska â San Diego took the lead less than three minutes into Friday's game at Sullivan Arena and never looked back, winning for the 12th time in 13 games by a score of 4-2 over the Alaska Aces in front of 5,282.
The most unlikely of Gulls, Sandro Sbrocca, gave his team the lead at the 2:45 mark that beat Alaska starter Dan Murphy glove side. Murphy, who had not lost in eight starts dating to November 28, gave up a rebound that Greg Barber snapped home at 9:12 with San Diego on a power play.
Trailing 2-0 entering the second period, Mike Scott took advantage of a favorable bounce in front of Gulls netminder Trevor Koenig and flipped in a backhander to reduce the deficit in half at 3:39. But on one of the nine Alaska power plays that ended in failure, Josh Gratton, the league leader in penalty minutes with 225 entering the game, took an outlet pass from Barber as he exited the penalty box and beat Murphy on the ensuing breakaway with 8:24 left in the middle frame.
Mark Pederson provided all the insurance Koenig would need by scoring in his sixth straight game to open the third period, extending the San Diego bulge to 4-1 at the 2:29 mark. Kimbi Daniels followed his own rebound for his 10th goal of the year with 4:57 left in regulation to bring the Aces within 4-2, but Koenig would hold on, finishing with 31 saves and outdueling Murphy, who had just 18.
Alaska looks to rebound tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. against San Diego, with Sunday's series finale at Sullivan also scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start. The Aces (20-10-3) have slipped into fourth place, one point behind the Gulls, who have won five straight on the road and now sit at 21-8-2 overall. Alaska Aces 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.
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