Thunder rallies past Aces, 4-3
November 24, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - For the first time since March 2004, Alaska saw a third period lead turn into a regulation defeat, as Stockton rallied with a pair of power play goals for a 4-3 victory before 7,011 Saturday at Stockton Arena.
For the ninth time in nine games played at Stockton in the three-year history of this rivalry, Alaska fell behind 1-0, as a shot from Brandon Schwartz caromed off Aces defenseman Bryan Miller and into the back of the net at 13:10. Two and a half minutes later, Alaska captain Barrett Heisten tied the game, stuffing home a centering pass from Matt Robinson. Bo Cheesman gave the Aces their first lead 61 seconds before the break, sliding in the go-ahead goal (his third in as many games) while falling to the ice. All of the first period scoring came on the power play.
Alaska failed to convert a five-on-three power play early in the second period, and the Thunder promptly tied the game immediately thereafter as Pat Bateman scored off the rush, taking a pass from former Ace Adam Huxley and sliding the puck underneath Derek Gustafson's pads at 7:59. But less than 90 seconds later, Alaska went ahead 3-2 as rookie Josh Soares gathered in a rebound, spun, and buried a snap shot in the top left corner for his team leading 10th goal of the season.
The Aces had been 6-0 when leading after one period and 5-0 when ahead after two, but three consecutive penalties cost the visitors dearly in the third. Brian Lee converted the first of those into the equalizer at 5:50 of the final period, blasting a slap shot past Gustafson from the high slot. Already playing with just four defensemen in its lineup, penalties to Lee Green and Joey Hope left Alaska with just two, and Jake MicFlickier's laser from the right circle found the back of the net with 12:13 remaining, a goal that proved to be the game-winner. The Aces were out-shot 33-23, and managed just six over the last 20 minutes. Alaska's loss ended a four-game winning streak and marked only its second in 15 meetings (12-2-1) with Stockton over three seasons.
The Aces, who wasted a chance to take over the West Division lead from Victoria (5-1 losers in Idaho) face a two-hour bus ride down to Fresno for their sixth game against the Falcons this year tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ADT, having won the last four meetings after a loss in their season opener October 23. Alaska, now 10-4-1 overall, travels to Florida Sunday in preparation for a three-game series against the Everblades, beginning next Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ADT. Earlier this season, Alaska took two of three from Florida in Anchorage. 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.
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