ANCHORAGE, AK – If there is one truism in hockey it would be if you don’t score, you can’t win. And the Utah Grizzlies can’t score, at least when they are playing against the Alaska Aces and their net minder Jean-Philippe Lamoureux. For the second straight playoff game, and fourth overall, the Grizzlies could not beat the ECHL Goaltender of the Year as Lamoureux made 22 stops. Utah has failed to score against the rookie for the past 244 minutes and 17 seconds and if they can’t solve him soon the Grizzlies team season will be over. Meanwhile on the other side of the ice Utah net minder Michael Mole has been outstanding the first two games of the series, but outstanding will never beat untouchable. Mole was victimized by a turnover by Utah defenseman Andy Sertich with less than a minute to play in the first period. Sertich’s gaffe led to a cardinal sin in hockey as the Aces capitalized on the error. The wayward pass came to Alaska’s Josh Soares who found teammate Luke Erickson in front of the net. Erickson made no mistake as he ripped a steaming snap shot past the stunned Mole. Alexandre Imbeault doubled Alaska’s lead when he gathered a drop pass from Lance Galbraith and lasered a slap-shot past Mole early in the third period. Imbeault’s goal was set up by a breakout pass from defender Bryan Miller who found Galbraith alone at the Utah blue-line. With the win the Aces take a two-game to none lead into Utah’s building. The two clubs are set to match up again on Wednesday, April 15 and after a day off the two teams will play back-to-back games, although Utah needs to make the back leg necessary with a win, on Friday and Saturday.
Contact tom.schettino@prohockeynews.com.
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