With 39.6 seconds remaining on the clock, Cam Kieth scored the winning goal. Photo courtesy the Alaska Aces.
Story Created:
May 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
May 2, 2008 at 7:54 PM AKDT
Alaska Aces latest information:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Cam Keith scored the game-tying goal with 39.6 seconds left and F.P. Guenette provided the winner at 8:17 of overtime to give Alaska a 6-5 victory over Las Vegas in Game Four of the National Conference semi-finals in front of 4,569 Thursday at Sullivan Arena.
After a scoreless first period in which the teams combined for just 12 shots on goal, Las Vegas took control early in the second on goals by Kelly Czuy at 1:06 and Bruce Mulherin three minutes later. The Aces pulled within 2-1 on a Matt Robinson one-timer directly off a draw won by Kimbi Daniels, who would assist on three other goals before the night was complete. But an Alaska turnover led to Shawn Limpright’s third goal of the series with 1:53 left in the period, and the Wranglers headed to the dressing room with a 3-1 lead, just 20 minutes away from a four-game sweep.
At that point, Las Vegas had out-scored Alaska 19-4 in the series, and goaltender Kevin Lalande seemed to be cruising yet again, out-dueling Aces netminder Marek Schwarz. But four penalties (two each to Adam Miller and Mulherin) in less than a five-minute span to start the third period turned the game around, as Guenette started a three-goal power play flurry at 1:20. Josh Soares, held without a point in his last five games, set up Olivier Filion for the tying-goal at 3:17, then scored himself less than three minutes later to give Alaska its first lead of the series, 4-3.
The Wranglers came right back, as Peter Ferraro ripped a one-timer past Schwarz on a Vegas power play with 5:59 remaining for the equalizer, then put the visitors ahead 5-4 with another blast from the right circle with 2:23 showing on the clock. A penalty against Aces defenseman Peter Metcalf for holding the stick with 62 seconds left meant just a five-on-five situation when Alaska pulled Schwarz in favor of the extra attacker, but Keith, who beat Las Vegas with a goal in triple overtime in Game Six of the 2006 West Finals, came around the back of the Wrangler net and banked a backhander off the skate of Vegas defenseman Aaron Power to tie the game 5-5.
Still shorthanded, the Aces survived the final seconds of regulation and the first minute of overtime. After killing another Wrangler power play and earning one of its own, Alaska kept its hopes for a record fourth straight trip to the conference finals alive when, four seconds after the power play expired, Guenette beat Lalande with a wrist shot top shelf from the right circle. The Aces are 11-4 in ECHL overtime playoff games, including 6-1 at home and 3-0 against Las Vegas. Tomorrow’s Game Five will be broadcast live, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750 KFQD.
#1 Las Vegas vs. #5 Alaska: (all times AT)
Game 1: Las Vegas 8, Alaska 0
Game 2: Las Vegas 3, Alaska 1
Game 3: Las Vegas 5, Alaska 2
Game 4: Alaska 6, Las Vegas 5 (OT)
Game 5: Vegas at Alaska Tomorrow 7:15 p.m.
Game 6: Alaska at Vegas Tue., May 6 6:05 p.m. *
Game 7: Alaska at Vegas Wed., May 7 6:05 p.m. *
*If necessary
