Shootout Thriller Caps Pulsating Series

Published on January 12, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Joe Talbot tied the game for a second time with 6:32 left to play, then was one of three Alaska shooters to solve Trevor Koenig in the shootout as the Aces edged the San Diego Gulls 4-3 before 3,616 Sunday evening at Sullivan Arena.

The teams had traded 4-2 wins in the first two games of this series, and this game stayed close throughout, despite the disparity in shots on goal, as Alaska outshot the visitors 45-22, including 35-11 over the last 45 minutes of regulation and overtime. Chris Lipsett opened the scoring for the Aces at 14:30 of the opening period with his first goal in 13 games dating to December 2. Lipsett and Valdemar Pelikovsky were called for penalties shortly thereafter, however, and Mark Pederson's 21st goal of the year on the ensuing two-man advantage tied the game 1-1 with 3:10 left in the period.

Greg Barber gave the Gulls their first lead just 1:21 into the second period, but Talbot answered barely four minutes later by banging in a rebound of a Charles Linglet shot. But with 3:54 left in the middle frame, San Diego regained the lead on the rush when Josh Gratton scored his second goal of the series on a loose rebound in front and the Gulls held a 3-2 edge heading into the final 20 minutes. Koenig stopped 24 of Alaska's 25 shots in the second period alone.

San Diego permitted the Aces just two shots for the first 10 minutes of the third period, but Alaska's relentless pressure finally created a turnover in the offensive zone, and Kimbi Daniels took advantage, finding an open Talbot between the circles, who beat Koenig top shelf for the equalizer at 13:28 of the final period. The Gulls managed just two shots in the third period and none in overtime, but Koenig held the Aces at bay and the game headed into a shootout, where Koenig already had beaten Alaska starter Dan Murphy twice earlier this season and had stopped 18 of 20 shots in shootouts, the second-best percentage in the league.

But the Aces scored three times in eight tries, leading off with Talbot's score but being robbed of victory when Barber kept San Diego alive in the fifth round. When former Ace Clayton Read scored in the seventh round, the Gulls were one save from victory, but Daniels forced an eighth round, where Kevin Grant was stuffed by Murphy and Jordan Cameron beat Koenig top shelf for the game-winner.

Alaska (22-10-3) moved into a second place tie in the Pacific Division with Las Vegas (21-11-5) with the victory, although the Aces have a better winning percentage than the Wranglers. The two teams meet in Las Vegas Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. AST, the start of a four-game road trip for Alaska that continues next Friday in Bakersfield before two more against San Diego Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18. 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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ECHL Stories from January 12, 2004


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