Connolly, Gogol each collect two goals as Aces stay hot at home
January 29, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Curt Gogol and Brendan Connolly each scored twice and the Alaska Aces never trailed, en route to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Eagles in a three-game series opener at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday.
The victory for the Aces, improving to 11-1-3 in the last 15 home games, also came on the strength of Olivier Archambault's three point output and Troy Redmann's 31 saves. Alaska drew to within seven points of idle Utah for the fourth playoff spot in the Pacific Division, snapping Colorado's season-best ten-game win streak.
Gogol's third goal of the season, on the power play lifted the Aces to a 1-0 lead just 2:35 into the game, set up at the goal mouth by an Olivier Archambault flip from behind the net after Archambault drove wide off the rush.
The Aces earned more opportunity but failed to capitalize on back to back power plays and Trent Daavettila's eighth goal of the season leveled the game, 1-1 with 51 seconds remaining when he deflected Taylor Vause's feed at the net, through the five hole of Troy Redmann.
Brendan Connolly led the way with two goals in the second period, part of a run of three unanswered goals by the Aces to assume a 4-2 lead after two periods. Connolly stickhandled out of the corner and deked Saunders to the blocker side at 2:01 of the period for a 2-1 lead.
Olivier Archambault then cruised into the Colorado zone and darted into the slot from the left side, beating Saunders at the glove hand at 9:20 for a 3-1 cushion. Then with the Aces on the penalty kill, Greg Wolfe forced a turnover at Collin Bowman at the blueline and shoveled a feed ahead to Brendan Connolly, who scored on a shorthanded breakaway with 3:52 left for a 4-1 lead.
Chris Knowlton received credit for his fourth goal of the season at 16:57 of the second period to cut the lead to 4-2, on a drive by Marc Nemec from the top of the right circle that snuck through traffic.
The Aces had their lead shaved to 4-3 on a giveaway in their own zone and onto the tape of Kyle Kraemer, who snuck a wrist shot past Redmann from the right circle. But quick puck movement, off the rush, between Olivier Archambault and Justin Breton found the tape of Gogol for a one-timer between the circles with 3:05 left in regulation, for a critical insurance goal and 5-3 lead.
Colorado drew to within a goal with Saunders pulled for a sixth attacker on the power play, and Collin Bowman's point shot deflected off Daavettila with 1:32 left. But Colorado would get no closer.
Saunders took the loss on 20 saves.
NOTES: The Aces scratched Justin Johnson, Ryan Tesink, Dustin Molle, Corey Syvret and Tim Coffman ... Chris Francis left the game in the second period due to injury and is probable to return Friday ... Colten Hayes dropped the gloves and handled counterpart Chris Duszynski in a scrap, in the second period ... Alaska went 1-of-4 on the power play ... Connolly has four shorthanded points to lead the Aces.
The two teams face a rematch on Friday at 7:15 p.m. (GCI/KFQD).
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 - J. Breton
2. COL - T. Daavettila
3. AK - C. Gogol
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