Although the season is over, Aces fans still have the opportunity to relish the victories past the past year at a gathering being held at the Cellular One Center. Photo courtesy the Alaska Aces.
Story Created:
May 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
May 5, 2008 at 7:20 PM AKDT
Alaska Aces latest information:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Curtis Fraser scored the tie-breaking goal with 8:36 remaining to send Las Vegas to the National Conference Finals with a 6-3 victory over Alaska before 4,640 Friday night in Anchorage.
The Aces invite all those who followed the 2007-08 season for a gathering at the Cellular One Center, located off O'Malley, Monday night at 7:00 p.m. Team members will be available for autographs and photos following a brief presentation. Season tickets for 2008-09 will be on sale throughout the summer at the Aces offices on the corner of 15th and Gambell. Office hours are Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday’s game marked the first time in five tilts that the Aces actually managed to score first, as Derick Martin scored a power play goal just 2:14 into the game, assisted by Josh Soares and Olivier Filion. The Wranglers responded with a power play goal of their own, as Peter Ferraro blasted a slap shot past Alaska starter Marek Schwarz at 5:53 of the opening period, which remained 1-1 for the remainder of the frame.
While balancing on one knee on a determined drive to the net, F.P. Guenette flicked a backhander over Las Vegas goalie Daniel Manzato (making his first start in 35 days) to push the Aces back in front, 2-1, only 1:53 into the second period, but Gerry Burke nudged home his own rebound just 91 seconds later to create another deadlock. Corbin Schmidt whistled a wrist shot from between the circles past Manzato with 9:01 left in the middle frame to give Alaska a 3-2 edge, but Ferraro’s second of the contest only 1:35 later left the score 3-3 entering the final 20 minutes.
Fraser’s goal came directly off an Aces turnover in the neutral zone midway through the third period, and in the ensuing two-on-one, he stuffed a one-timer past Schwarz after a return pass from rookie Adam Miller. Alaska, playing without Soares for the last half of the game due to a broken nose, pulled Schwarz in favor of the extra attacker, but empty-netters by Kelly Czuy and Shawn Limpright 19 seconds apart sealed its fate.
Coincidentally, the Aces will open next season at home against Las Vegas on Friday, October 17, at 7:15 p.m. The complete 2008-09 Alaska schedule will be officially released by the team on Monday.
#1 Las Vegas defeats #5 Alaska (4-1)
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: Las Vegas 6, Alaska 3
