ALASKA RALLIES FOR REGULATION TIE, BOWS IN OT
Nov 1st, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Nick Tuzzolino's game-tying goal with 2:53 left in regulation salvaged a point for Alaska in an eventual 3-2 overtime loss to Idaho in front of 3,908 Sunday at Sullivan Arena.
Evan Barlow scored the game-winner for the Steelheads at 1:56 of the extra session, giving the visitors five of a possible six points in the three-game series this weekend and a 7-0-1 overall record. The Aces move to 5-3-1, four points behind the West Division leaders heading into another three-games-in-three-nights stretch on the road next weekend. Alaska visits Stockton (winners of three straight after an 0-4 start) Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. AT, followed by a 4 p.m. AT face-off against Ontario on November 8. All three games will be carried live on the flagship home of Alaska pro hockey, KFQD 750 AM.
After a scoreless first period, the Aces took their first lead of the series 66 seconds into the middle frame, when Scott Burt fed Tyson Marsh (pictured, photo credit--Greg Martin) for a one-timer between the circles that whistled past the glove of Idaho goalie Richard Bachman, his third goal in as many nights. Mark Derlago tied the game with a power play goal at 16:43 of the second period.
The Steelheads grabbed their first lead of the night when Brandon Kushniruk scored his first professional goal only 15 seconds into the final period, and limited the Aces to only five shots on goal for the remainder of the frame. But the last of those shots, Tuzzolino's blast from the top of the right circle, sailed just inside the left goal post blocker side for the equalizer.
Alaska was again out-shot, 37-24, including 27-14 over teh final 40 minutes of regulation. In their last four outings (1-2-1), the Aces have managed just 93 shots (23.2/game) while surrendering 166 (41.5). Scott Reid, who tied an ECHL club record with 50 saves in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win, again was sharp in net, finishing with 34 stops.
