ANCHORAGE, Alaska – With a 3-1 regulation loss Wednesday night in Anchorage, the Alaska Aces’ dreams of defending last year’s successful run to the Kelly Cup championship ended in front of 3,783 fans.
With the loss, the #3 seeded Las Vegas Wranglers move on to their second Kelly Cup Finals trip in nine seasons. The only other time that the Wranglers advanced that far into the Kelly Cup championships was in the 2007-2008 season when they fell in six games to the winning Cincinnati Cyclones.
What turned out to be the final game in the exciting, hard hitting, competitive series started out in a typical manner with two fights taking place directly off the opening faceoff. The fights, both of which were exciting and very sportsmanlike couldn’t have come at a better time for the emotionally struggling Aces.
The fight between Wrangler heavyweight Adam Huxley and Ace Chris Bruton saw both men ejected for the duration of the match for receiving a “secondary altercation” game misconduct. The other fight, between Wrangler Robbie Smith and Jordan Kremyr finished quicker and was not as action packed, with both combatants receiving just five minute fighting majors for their efforts.
The first goal of the evening, on the power play, was scored by Alaska forward Dan Kissel, from Kane Lafranchise and goaltender Gerald Coleman. The goal, at 5:22 of the first period and marked the first time that Alaska had scored first since their only win in game one of the series, came because of a Wrangler Mike Madill slashing minor.
However, that Kissel goal would prove to be the last Aces goal of their season, with Las Vegas finding the back of Coleman three times before the final buzzer sounded.
The tying Vegas goal came off the stick of ECHL leading scorer Eric Lampe, from former Ace Judd Blackwater and defenseman Jeff May. The goal, on a power play after a Gary Nunn boarding minor, came at 14:28 of the opening period.
The eventual game winner would come on an even strength score, by Blackwater, just 3:54 later in the same period. From Lampe and Adam Miller, the tally would end up being the seal on the Aces incredible season, with Alaska unable to rally back.
The Wranglers were able to score again, albeit a tad unnecessarily, when, down 6-3 on the ice with Coleman sitting on the bench, Wrangler Josh Lunden was able to score the shorthanded empty netter. The goal, unassisted, was notched with just 0:03 remaining in the series.
Alaska, for their part, had an amazing series and season. Winners of the Brabham Cup for the regular season point’s championship, the Aces looked more than ready to defend their previous season’s title. However, it seemed as though the first round playoff bye that they earned in the regular season and getting past a tough Stockton Thunder club took a lot out of the squad.
Regardless of the earlier than expected exit, fans can be positive that Alaska will come back swinging next season and remain on the top of the ECHL heap for years to come.
With the win, the Las Vegas Wranglers now await the winner of the Kalamazoo Wings and Florida Everblades Eastern Conference Finals. As that series is currently at 2-1, that means that a long break is awaiting the Vegas club before the start of their last series run before the Kelly Cup awarding ceremony.
Contact Joel.Hoopaugh@prohockeynews.com
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