Another fast start for the Las Vegas turned into more problems for the Alaska Aces in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals at Sullivan Arena on Tuesday night.  Las Vegas rode a pair of first period goals to a 3-2 win, extending their lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-1.  The defending Kelly Cup Champion Aces now have their backs against the wall and face elimination, beginning Wednesday night.  Game 5 is Wednesday at 7:15pm and tickets are on sale now.  If necessary, Game 6 will be played at Sullivan Arena on Friday.  For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.   

For the third straight game the Wranglers got out to a terrific start to seize early control of the hockey game.  Judd Blackwater scored his second goal of the series from the bottom of the slot just 1:49 into the game to give the Wranglers an early 1-0 lead.  Eric Lampe sped into the zone on a head man pass at center ice and beat Gerald Coleman with a wrist shot to the stick side at 11:25 to make it 2-0 Wranglers at first intermission.  Both teams had nine shots on goal. 

The Wranglers made it 3-0 when Peter MacArthur scored at 7:01 from just outside the crease.  The Wranglers took that three-goal lead into the final minute of the period before Dan Kissel got Alaska on the board with a beautiful goal.  Kissel took a headman feed and turned Las Vegas defenseman inside out before slipping a shot past goaltender Joe Fallon at 19:05.  The Aces outshot the Wranglers 8-7 in the middle frame, but went into the intermission break trailing 3-1.

The Aces tried to close the gap in the third period, but ran out of time.  With Coleman pulled for an extra attacker, Chad Anderson scored at 19:55 to get the Aces within a goal, but it was not enough as Alaska dropped their third straight game. 

Gerald Coleman (5-4) suffered the loss, making 21 saves on 24 shots in one period of work.  Joe Fallon (5-1) earned the win, making 24 saves on 26 shots.  The Aces went 0-2 on the power play, while the Wranglers went 0-3.  The Aces outshot the Wranglers 26-24 in the game. 

The series stays in Anchorage for the remainder of the week.  Game 5 is Wednesday at 7:15pm and tickets are on sale now.  If necessary, Game 6 will be played at Sullivan Arena on Friday.  For more information, please call the Aces at 907.258.ACES or visit them online at www.facebook.com/alaskaaceshockey.