Aces defeat Thunder in Game One

WASILLA, Alaska – The Alaska Aces defeated Stockton 4-3 in the first game of a best-of-five series at the Menard Center before 1,876 fans.  This marks the first time these two teams have faced each other in the post-season.
The Aces scored the first and second goals of the first period.  The first goal came at 7:17, by T.J. Fast on a power play; a one timer sailed past Andrew Perugini from the circle.  The Aces Jason Ryznar scored the second goal, short-handed, with an assist from B.J. Crum at the 11:15 marker.  Stockton’s Kelly Czuy answered the goal mere seconds later, on a slapshot that went up and over the shoulder of Billy Sauer on a power play.  But the Aces led going to the first break 2-1.
The Thunder tried to mount a second-period comeback taking a 3-2 lead.  Chris D’Alvise scored at 9:17 into the period then, with only three seconds remaining, J.F. Caudron found the net through traffic. Stockton led the period in shots on goal , though the period saw the fewest of the game 9-6.
The Aces d-man Crum, who had only four goals over his six year professional career, became the hero of the night, with back to back, unanswered goals, at 12:56 and 17:09, to give the Aces the single goal advantage at the games end and a final score of 4-3.
Perugini took the loss, with 26 saves, while Sauer finished with 27 saves for the fifth win in six Alaska starts.  The Aces successfully killed seven of eight power play chances.
Crum had three points for the night, while Bryan Miller and Jarrett Konkle posted two assists each.
Game two will be Tuesday, April 06, at Wasilla Mendard Memorial Sports Complex moving to Stockton Friday night for subsequent games.
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com