Alaska Aces Take Down Victoria Salmon Kings 5-2 (Playoffs) - ECHL

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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - VICTORIA, BC - Derek Gustafson stopped 35 shots and Kimbi Daniels and Julian Talbot each contributed a goal and an assist in Alaska's 5-2 win over Victoria in front of 3,356 Thursday at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

    After a determined push by the Salmon Kings in the first two minutes, the Aces struck first when a big rebound issued by Julien Ellis on a drive from beyond the blue line landed on the tape of Talbot, who deposited his second goal of the series at 2:59.  Victoria briefly tied the game on a power play goal by Steve Lingren at 5:56, one of five opportunities with the man advantage that the home team enjoyed in the first period.  Alaska regained the lead for good in a delayed penalty situation just 47 seconds later, when Daniels found Kevin Croxton in the slot, leaving the score 2-1 at the break.

    With the Salmon Kings on another power play, Daniels stole an outlet pass and beat Ellis top shelf on the ensuing breakaway at 7:13 of the second period, the third shorthanded goal in two games for the Aces.  Another Victoria turnover led to Alaska's fourth goal, a rebound swept in by Mike Scott with 3:33 left in the frame after Ellis had made the initial save on Talbot.  The Salmon Kings drew within 4-2 when Derek Krestanovich beat Gustafson off the rush with 1:19 left in the second period, but Matt Robinson scored from point blank range after a nifty interior pass by Croxton less than three minutes into the third to put the game out of reach.