By Andrew Chernoff
Jan 5, 2017
The Alaska Aces (18-8-1-4) take on the Idaho Steelheads (19-11-2-1) on Friday night, in the second game of three this weekend, and hope for a different result, than last night, in Boise, Idaho.
The Steelheads gave the Aces their worst defeat of the season, 6-1, at CenturyLink Arena last night, in the opener of a three-game series.
The Aces two game winning streak also came to a resounding end with the loss.
Alaska is now 9-4-3 on the road this season, and 1-1-1-1 in games against Idaho at CenturyLink Arena this season.
The ECHL Mountain division continues to be a four team race for top spot, as the Aces and Steelheads are tied for 3rd and 4th place with 41 points, both a single point behind 1rst and 2nd place Allen Americans and Colordao Eagles, both with 42 points each.
The Aces only goal came in the third period, Tim Wallace, his 8th of the season, from Steve Tarasuk and Stephen Perfetto, at 2:20 on the power play.
Michael Garteig’s return to the Aces from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League was ruined, as he stopped 31 of 37 Steelhead shots.
Garteig’s earlier eight starts, in which he was 7-1-0 for the Aces, before his stint with Utica, he didn’t allow more than four goals.
Alaska outshot Idaho 45-37 for the game, with the Aces 1-7 on the power play, 2 for 3 on the penalty kill.
The Aces and Steelheads will play also play on Saturday night at the CenturyLink Arena. Game time is 5:10pm AST for both games.
The Aces and Steelheads after this weekend play their final six match ups against each other later this season in Anchorage.
Aces 0 0 1 1
Idaho 2 2 2 6
First Period – 1, Idaho, Ewanyk 14 (Basaraba, Faust), 14:34; 2, Idaho, Lain 7 (Merchant, Faust), 16:52 (pp). Penalties – Wallace, Aces (roughing), 15:40; Basaraba, Idaho (tripping), 17:41.
Second Period – 3, Idaho, Ewanyk 15 (Basaraba, Jean), 1:01; 4, Idaho, Luciani 11 (Linsmayer), 7:11. Penalties – Lake, Aces (slashing), 13:23; Walsh, Idaho (interference), 16:39.
Third Period – 5, Aces, Wallace 8 (Tarasuk, Perfetto), 2:20 (pp); 6, Idaho, Troock 4 (Linsmayer, Baldwin), 9:08; 7, Idaho, Basaraba 8 (Jean, Merchant), 9:40. Penalties – Karjalainen, Idaho (elbowing), 2:09; Lauwers, Aces (delay of game-puck over glass), 4:50; Idaho bench minor (too many men), 5:44; Bell, Idaho (cross-checking), 6:15; Baldwin, Idaho (hooking), 10:08; Troock, Idaho (boarding), 18:15.
Source: https://www.adn.com