Streak Over; Aces double up Grizz, 4-2
February 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Bo Cheesman had two assists and the game-winning goal while Mike Brown collected his first win since November 30 with 36 saves in a 4-2 decision over Utah before 5,367 at the E Center, snapping a four-game Alaska skid.
Having fallen behind 2-0 in the first period Thursday and 3-0 in the first eight minutes last night, Alaska grabbed its first lead of the series at 8:12 of the opening frame Saturday when F.P. Guenette came off the left half boards and whistled a wrist shot past Utah starter Nathan Lawson on a power play. A Utah turnover led directly to the game's second goal, set up by Cheesman, who dropped a pass to Matt Robinson and watched as the second-year pro rifled a snap shot in the top left corner with 2:26 remaining in the period.
Former Ace Justin Johnson scored the only goal of the second period, one-timing a loose puck in the left circle just underneath the crossbar at 13:52 to bring the Grizzlies within 2-1. Three of Johnson's four career goals have come against Alaska this season.
Cheesman's hit on Utah assistant captain Scott Burt set up his own game-winner three minutes into the third period, as after leveling Burt, the third-year pro drove a slap shot into the upper left corner for his career-high 21st goal of the season and a 3-1 Aces advantage. Grizzlies captain Travis Rycroft stuffed a centering pass from Keith Johnson past Brown with 12:36 remaining, but Robinson's second of the game 41 seconds later pushed Alaska back in front by two goals. The goal marked his 12th of the year and his fourth in two games. The Aces erased eight Utah power plays, including five in the third period alone, to secure victory, just their third in the last 12 games overall and the last 13 away from home. The Grizzlies finished with a 38-36 advantage in shots on goal and won the season series for the first time in three years, eight points to five. Brown lasted just 21:17 on Friday in his Aces debut, and had been 0-6 for Johnstown since posting his sixth win in the American Hockey League with Providence more than two months ago.
The Alaska Aces (21-17-5) will watch Super Bowl XLII in Utah before returning to Anchorage late Sunday night. The Idaho Steelheads invade Sullivan Arena for the first time this season next weekend. Friday and Saturday's games start at 7:15 p.m., while Sunday's series finale begins at 5:05 p.m. and features the Fred Meyer post-game "Skate with the Aces." All regular season games are broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to face-off.
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