Alaska Aces Win Game 4 of ECHL National Conference Semifinals Over Las Vegas Wranglers

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Cam Keith scored the game-tying goal with 39.6 seconds left and F.P. Guenette provided the winner at 8:17 of overtime to give Alaska a 6-5 victory over Las Vegas in Game Four of the National Conference semi-finals in front of 4,569 Thursday at Sullivan Arena.

The Wranglers, seeking their first trip beyond the second round of
the playoffs, still lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 and will get another
crack at advancing tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m.  Tickets for tomorrow's Game
Five will be on sale at the Alaska Aces team offices on the corner of 15th
and Gambell from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

After a scoreless first period in which the teams combined for just
12 shots on goal, Las Vegas took control early in the second on goals by
Kelly Czuy at 1:06 and Bruce Mulherin three minutes later.  The Aces pulled
within 2-1 on a Matt Robinson one-timer directly off a draw won by Kimbi
Daniels, who would assist on three other goals before the night was
complete.  But an Alaska turnover led to Shawn Limpright's third goal of the
series with 1:53 left in the period, and the Wranglers headed to the
dressing room with a 3-1 lead, just 20 minutes away from a four-game sweep.

At that point, Las Vegas had out-scored Alaska 19-4 in the series,
and goaltender Kevin Lalande seemed to be cruising yet again, out-dueling
Aces netminder Marek Schwarz.  But four penalties (two each to Adam Miller
and Mulherin) in less than a five-minute span to start the third period
turned the game around, as Guenette started a three-goal power play flurry
at 1:20.  Josh Soares, held without a point in his last five games, set up
Olivier Filion for the tying-goal at 3:17, then scored himself less than
three minutes later to give Alaska its first lead of the series, 4-3.

The Wranglers came right back, as Peter Ferraro ripped a one-timer
past Schwarz on a Vegas power play with 5:59 remaining for the equalizer,
then put the visitors ahead 5-4 with another blast from the right circle
with 2:23 showing on the clock.  A penalty against Aces defenseman Peter
Metcalf for holding the stick with 62 seconds left meant just a five-on-five
situation when Alaska pulled Schwarz in favor of the extra attacker, but
Keith, who beat Las Vegas with a goal in triple overtime in Game Six of the
2006 West Finals, came around the back of the Wrangler net and banked a
backhander off the skate of Vegas defenseman Aaron Power to tie the game
5-5.   

Still shorthanded, the Aces survived the final seconds of regulation and the
first minute of overtime.  After killing another Wrangler power play and
earning one of its own, Alaska kept its hopes for a record fourth straight
trip to the conference finals alive when, four seconds after the power play
expired, Guenette beat Lalande with a wrist shot top shelf from the right
circle.  The Aces are 11-4 in ECHL overtime playoff games, including 6-1 at
home and 3-0 against Las Vegas.  Tomorrow's Game Five will be broadcast
live, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on the flagship home of Aces hockey, AM 750
KFQD.
 
#1 Las Vegas vs. #5 Alaska: (all times AT)

Game 1: Las Vegas 8, Alaska 0
Game 2:   
Las Vegas 3, Alaska 1
Game 3: Las Vegas 5, Alaska 2
Game 4: Alaska 6, Las Vegas 5 (OT)

Game 5: Vegas at Alaska Tomorrow 7:15
p.m.
Game 6: Alaska at Vegas Tue., May 6 6:05 p.m. *
Game 7: Alaska at Vegas
Wed., May 7 6:05 p.m. *

*If necessary

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