ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Aces began game two of this series with the Steelheads exactly where they left off in the opening match. Solid defense.
Anchorage limited Idaho’s chances in game one with a smothering defensive effort. And period one of this contest was just a continuation of the effort.
Through the first twenty minutes of the game the Aces yielded a total of four shots on goal to their own 15 in the period. Gerald Coleman had little or no work in the opening frame in net for the Aces.
For a team on the brink of a 2-0 hole, the Steelheads were unable to muster enough offense to mount any pressure in the Aces’ zone.
As in game one, good defense led to a break out score. This time from Scott Howes who netted his first of the post season at 1:07 of the second. Brian Swanson and Wes Goldie set up the score for the Aces.
The Steelheads finally ramped up their offense with 17 shots on goal in the second.
The problem for Idaho was that the Aces bookended the middle-frame with a late goal from Scott Burt at 19:35 of the period. Tyler Ruegsegger and Bryan Miller picked up the assists on the goal.
Through two periods the Aces outshot Idaho 24-21 and left Jerry Kuhn in Idaho’s net feeling like he needs to be perfect to win a game in this series.
Through two periods both clubs were scoreless on two power play opportunities each.
The third was remarkable for the ineptness of the Idaho offense which went absent in the period. The Aces managed their defensive zone coverage well and limited Idaho’s chances to get back in the game. The Steelheads were limited to seven shots on goal in the third period.
With the win, Anchorage heads to the lower 48 with a 2-0 series lead and solid control of their home-ice advantage.
The Steelheads head home with nothing but questions and few answers for Coleman in the Aces’ net or the defense of Anchorage.
Gerry Coleman, Scott Burt and Jerry Kuhn were named three stars of the game.
An announced crowd of 5,699 fans attended the game at the Sullivan Arena.
Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com
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