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Eagles end 2011 with point in shootout loss to Aces

 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Aces came back from a 3-0 deficit to claim a 4-3 shootout win against the Colorado Eagles in the last of three games between the teams this week. By taking the game past regulation, the Eagles were able to claim their first point of the mini-series.

Colorado came out of the gates strong, out-shooting the Aces 14-7 in the first period on the way to a 3-0 lead. Aaron Schneekloth scored the first goal at 2:18 with a shot from the right point that made its way through traffic and past Adam Courchaine.

Riley Nelson then made it 2-0 at 3:49 following a faceoff win in the left circle of the offensive zone. It wasn’t until a minute later that the Aces registered their first shot of the game. And at 11:27, Schneekloth struck again when he was able to deflect a Luka Vidmar shot into the net on Colorado’s first power play of the night.

The Aces owned the second period, out-shooting the Eagles 12-4, & netting the session’s only two scores. Alaska got on the board at 6:52 with a power-play goal after Garry Nunn took a shot from the slot and Jordan Kremyr put the puck home from the doorstep.

Then, in the final minute of the second stanza, a turnover at center ice led Ethan Cox and Tyler Ruegsegger on an odd-man break into the offensive zone that saw the latter’s shot from the right circle slip just under Kyle Jones’ right arm.

Alaska continued to pour it on in the third period, out-shooting the Eagles 17-4 and netting the tying goal on a power play midway through. Bryan Miller got the goal with a blast from the left point on one of three Aces man-advantage chances in the final frame.

The teams played a wide open overtime period that ended with the Eagles on a 4-on-3 power play for the final 68 seconds, but they couldn’t capitalize, sending the contest to a shootout.

Both Nick Mazzolini and Wes Goldie were able to score in the shootout, while Courchaine stopped each of the four Colorado shooters to seal the win.