Walters thrills crowd of 5,467 with two goals, OT winner on New Year's Eve
Published on January 1, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Ryan Walters scored two goals and the game-winner with 1:34 left in sudden death, lifting the Alaska Aces to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Utah Grizzlies before 5,467 fans at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night.
The Aces improved their home record streak to 8-0-1 in the last nine games, ending 2014 with their first overtime v ictory at Sullivan Arena since November 16, 2012 (5-4 win vs. Colorado). Brendan Connolly added a goal and assist while the Aces held off Utah's third period rally, who overcame a 3-1 deficit.
Coming off a ten-day layoff, the Aces outshot Utah 8-7 in the opening period and maneuvered through an early first period penalty. Walters opened the scoring with a finish at the right circle, at 9:46 of the second period which was set up by Chris Francis' cross-ice pass for a 1-0 lead.
Barry Almeida leveled the game, 1-1 at 11:20 on a loose puck at the crease but the Aces seized the game's momentum in the last minute of the period, on Tim Coffman's fifth goal of the season set up on a feed by Olivier Archambault at the goal mouth with 39 seconds left.
The Aces escaped more penalty trouble early in the third and appeared to put the game out of reach on Connolly's breakaway goal at 1:59, capitalizing off a neutral zone turnover for a 3-1 lead. But two breakdowns led to relatively quickly Utah goals, in back-to-back fashion to level the game again. Barry Almeida's second of the game drew Utah to within a goal at 3:25, converting off the rush. Jacob Johnston then stunned the crowd with his wrister through traffic at 6:20.
Utah appeared to take a 4-3 lead on a power play goal that Danick Paquette tapped in, but officials overturned the call. The Aces survived into overtime and after Niklas Lundstrom turned away the first three Grizzlies shots, they cashed in on their chance with the transition game.
Brad Gorham entered the zone and drew traffic at the right circle, followed by a cross-ice feed to Greg Wolfe, at the right circle. Wolfe, wide open, relayed another feed to Walters, stationed at the right post for a tap-in, winning the game and sending the Aces flying off the bench to celebrate.
Igor Bobkov took the overtime loss in net with 18 stops.
NOTES: The Aces scratched Quinn Sproule, Tyler Currier, Justin Breton and Bryan Cameron ... the Aces earned their 17th win in 21 games at home against Utah ... Alaska never gained a power play in the game but killed all five Utah man-advantage chances ... Wolfe's assist on the winner gave him 10 points in the last six games.
The return on Friday, Jan. 2 for a rematch at 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD) at Sullivan Arena.
For Kelly Cup championship merchandise, 2014-15 season tickets, corporate sponsorship packages, and more information, please call 907-258-ACES. The Aces can also be visited on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey or on Twitter, @AlaskaAces.
Three Stars:
1. AK - R. Walters
2. AK - B. Connolly
3. UTA - B. Almeida
ECHL Stories from January 1, 2015
- ECHL Transactions - January 1 - ECHL
- IceMen Introduce Al Sims as New Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations - Evansville IceMen
- Milner Returns to Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Forward Brandon Alderson and Defenseman Maxim Lamarche Reassigned to Lehigh Valley - Reading Royals
- Walters thrills crowd of 5,467 with two goals, OT winner on New Year's Eve - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Battle Back Down 3-1 in 3rd for OTL Point - Utah Grizzlies
- Reign Shock Thunder, 4-3 - Ontario Reign
- Sivak's Streak Continues But Thunder Fall on Painted Ice - Stockton Thunder
- Mavericks Fall Short 4-3 to Thunder - Kansas City Mavericks
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