Story Created:
Oct 8, 2009 at 2:45 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Oct 8, 2009 at 2:45 PM AKDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Sam Ftorek scored 61 seconds into overtime to give Kalamazoo a 4-3 preseason victory over the Alaska Aces in front of 4,690 Wednesday at Sullivan Arena.
The game marked the first of two during "Paint the Rink Pink" week at Sullivan Arena, where a portion of the proceeds from the games will be donated to Breast Cancer Focus, Inc., and the American Cancer Society in Alaska. Tomorrow night's rematch against the Wings begins at 7:15 p.m., and will feature a post-game jersey auction.
Alaska took its only lead of the night 68 seconds into the contest when Matt Stefanishion lifted a backander over 'Zoo goalie Julien Ellis on a rebound. Sean O'Connor tied the game 25 seconds later on a blast from the right circle that slipped past Aces starter Kevin Nastiuk. Trent Daavetilla scored in a four-on-four situation at 3:51, and the Wings maintained that 2-1 advantage into the break.
Andrew Fournier beat Nastiuk off the rush after a one-touch pass from Ryan McGinnis two minutes into the second period to push the visitors' lead to 3-1, but Alaska answered with goals by Luke Erickson and Lance Galbraith less than two minutes apart midway through the frame to knot the score at 3-3.
The score remained tied through the final 28 minutes of regulation until, on an odd-man rush, Rick Cleaver fed the 12-year pro Ftorek for the game-winner against Sebastian Dahm, who had stopped the first 17 shots he faced in relief of Nastiuk. The Aces out-shot the Wings 36-32 and held Kalamazoo scoreless on nine power plays.
Alaska, the defending National Conference champions, opens its regular season at home against Victoria Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:15 p.m., in the first of a three-game set that continues Saturday, Oct. 17, and Monday, Oct. 19 (also 7:15 p.m. starts). The Aces now own a 9-4 record in 13 pre-season games at Sullivan Arena since 2003.
