Alaska Aces win game one

STOCKTON, Calif. – Game one of the Western Conference Semifinals was a goal tender duel, with neither giving any room to the offense. The answer came late in the third period, as the Thunder let a single mistake in front of the net, and allowed the Aces to score two goals in a five minute time span.
 
The Thunder was not able to answer the last goal, and despite scoring the first goal, they were not able to continue to dominate, and the Aces take game one with a final score of 2-1.
The first period ended without a goal, with the Thunder leading in shots on goal 9-6. Both teams were playing their physical game, with very few mistakes. Despite a Stockton power play, Aces goalie Gerald Coleman held strong.
 
The Thunder continued to pound away at the net, without success, continuing to outshoot the Aces, 10-7. Alaska had two power play opportunities, while the Thunder had another.Thunder’s newest member, Greg Squires catches a shot from Cameron Brodie to tip the puck past the glove side of Coleman to give Stockton the first goal of the game at the 8:57 minute mark.
 
Alaska’s Dan Kissel scored his first goal of the post season at the 12:10 mark. Wes Goldie tried a wrap-around goal that Olivier Roy was able to keep out of the net, but pulling him out of the net enough for the rebound shot by Kissel to find the back of the net to even the score at 1-1.
 
Garry Nunn, with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, beat Roy to give the Aces the 2-1 lead, and the ultimate game winning goal. Despite pulling Roy for the additional skater, Stockton could not get a scoring chance.
 
The Aces win came before 4,872 fans at Sullivan Arena.
 
Game two will be Saturday night.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
All photos by Jack Lima at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com