Streak Over, Aces Rally Past Ontario, 3-2

December 31, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Down 2-0 late in the second period and staring at a potention eighth straight loss, Alaska instead came all the way back, eventually out-lasting Ontario 3-2 in a shootout before 4,849 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena.

The Aces had endured an ECHL club-record seven consecutive defeats coming into the game, including a 5-4 disaster in Victoria Monday that came after they led 4-0 after the first period. Wednesday did not start much better, as the Reign took a 1-0 lead just 3:35 into the game on a power play goal by Michael Pelech. A one-timer from Tim Kraus from the left circle, assisted by Greg Hogeboom, built the margin to 2-0 six minutes into the second period.

But Alaska fought off a five-on-three power play opportunity for the visitors, and after killing yet another penalty in the final minute of the second period, John Lammers and Jason Ryznar hooked up for the game-changing moment. Lammers batted down a shot by Ontario's Shawn Germain and hit Ryznar just as he was coming out of the penalty box. On the ensuing breakaway, Ryznar beat Reign goalie Curtis Darling for his first goal in 15 games dating to Nov. 20, and the Aces had cut the deficit to 2-1 entering the final period. Darling, having shut out Alaska 3-0 Nov. 8, had gone nearly 100 minutes without surrendering a goal to the Aces.

Alaska tied the game four minutes into the third period, as Justin Johnson set up Bryan Miller's shot from the left circle that glanced off the left post on its way past Darling. Despite out-shooting the visitors 12-3 over the final 20 minutes, the Aces needed overtime and then a shootout to claim their first victory since Dec. 4 and their first home win since Nov. 14. Nick Mazzolini and Alexandre Imbeault scored in the first and third rounds, respectively, while Scott Reid stymied all four Ontario attempts to collect his third shooutout win without a loss after having posted 24 saves in 65 minutes.

Earlier Wednesday, the ECHL announced that Lammers and Mazzolini have been chosen to represent the National Conference at the ECHL All-Star Game January 20 in Ontario, California. Lammers has been selected as one of the six starters for the Nationals after enjoying a first half that has him tied for the league lead with seven power play goals and tied for first on the team with 29 points (15g-14a) in 18 games. Only two ECHL players average more points per game than Lammers' 1.61. Mazzolini is tied for fifth among first-year players in the league with 13 goals, while his 21 points place him in a tie for 14th among ECHL rookies.

Alaska (12-16-2) closes out 2009 with a rematch against Ontario tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m., with Peanut Farm Pre-Game Show coverage getting underway 15 minutes prior to face-off on the flagship home for Aces pro hockey, KFQD 750 AM.



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2009


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