ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Justin Breton scored 24 seconds into the game, and added an empty-net goal with just .7 seconds to go to help the Alaska Aces to a 3-1 victory over the Missouri Mavericks in the first game of the regular season at Sullivan Arena.
Breton’s first strike, assisted by David Eddy and Ben Lake, got the Aces off to a good start, but Missouri battled back in a game full of ebb and flow for both teams.
Leading 1-0 in the second period, the Aces went on a power play after the Maverick’s Tyler Barnes took a slashing penalty at 6:53. Alaska cashed in on a Gleason Fournier goal at 7:46, assists to Stephen Perfetto and Joe Perry.
Missouri kicked the offense into high gear, getting numerous scoring opportunities, but
were stonewalled by Alaska goaltender Troy Redmann. The Mavericks outshot the Aces 16-7 in the second period.
Missouri finally broke through Redmann in the third. Jesse Root’s wraparound from Barnes and Trevor Ludwig cut the Aces lead in half. Missouri continued offensive pressure, but Alaska defended well and sealed the deal with Breton’s empty netter with less than a second to go.
Redmann finished with 39 saves. Missouri goaltender Parker Milner was outstanding, making 26 saves, several of them from close range.
Game two of the three game series is Saturday night at 7:15pm
With Alaska Aces team release
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