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.  Luke Erickson (pictured) had a goal and an assist for the home team.

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 a tip-in by Erickson and a power play goal from 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.