Salmon Kings answer bell, win in Alaska, 4-1
Published on January 27, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Marc-Andre Bernier broke a scoreless standstill with 10 seconds left in the second period, allowing Victoria to take the lead for good in an eventual 4-1 win over Alaska before 4,495 Saturday at Sullivan Arena.
Derek Gustafson and the Aces had shut out the Salmon Kings 2-0, and Alaska's goaltender reached 50 consecutive saves before Bernier's tip-in slipped past him with Victoria on a power play in the waning moments of the middle frame. The Aces out-shot the 'Kings 12-7 in the first period and 37-30 over 60 minutes, but never again drew even, as Victoria pushed the lead to 3-0 on Kevin Estrada's power play goal with 17 minutes left in regulation and another tip-in by Bernier less than two minutes later.
Alaska defenseman Corbin Schmidt finally solved Salmon Kings starter Billy Thompson (who had been pulled in his only previous start against the Aces Dec. 22) with a wrist shot from between the circles at 8:06 of the final period. Trailing 3-1, the Aces had several chances, but Thompson held sway, finishing with 36 saves and watching the Goldie brothers put the game away with 8:27 remaining, as older brother Wes found ECHL All-Star Game MVP Ash off the rush to push the margin back to three. For Ash Goldie, his 23rd goal of the year marked his first in 11 games dating to January 3.
Alaska suffered just its fifth defeat in regulation in 36 regular season games against the Salmon Kings (26-11-5), who retained their six-point lead in the West Division over second-place Idaho, a 4-3 shootout winner at Bakersfield. The Aces (20-14-5) and Salmon Kings wrap up this three-game series tomorrow and play another three-in-three in early March.
Tomorrow's series finale at 5:05 p.m. features a Fred Meyer post-game "Skate with the Aces" and the GCI 100,000th Fan promotion (lucky winner receives 40,000 Alaska Airlines miles). All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off.
ECHL Stories from January 27, 2008
- Wranglers Cap Off Comeback With 3-2 Sudden Death Shootout Win - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies Settle For Shootout Loss In Las Vegas - Utah Grizzlies
- Falcons Down Thunder 5-2 - Fresno Falcons
- Royals Continue Road Success With Win Over Chiefs, 3-1 - Reading Royals
- Chiefs Bow To Royals - Johnstown Chiefs
- Charlotte Checkers Weekly - Charlotte Checkers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Third time isn't the charm, 'Catters trip up pack 6-3 - Texas Wildcatters
- Devils climb all the way back but lose in SO, 6-5 - Trenton Devils
- Gladiators fly by Ice Pilots, 3-1 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gwinnett takes home and home series with 3-1 win - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Augusta Lynx weekly - Augusta Lynx
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Khudobin Stops 42 in 3-2 Texas Win - Texas Wildcatters
- Condors continue unbeaten streak, but fall in shootout to Idaho, 4-3 - Bakersfield Condors
- Salmon Kings answer bell, win in Alaska, 4-1 - Alaska Aces
- Boron's 48-save effort falls shy, Thunder drops first game out of the break - Stockton Thunder
- Steelheads Rally To Notch 4-3 Sudden Death Shootout Victory Over Condors - Idaho Steelheads
- RoadRunners Quiet Thunder 3-1 - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Wranglers Tame Grizzlies 4-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
