Aces back in familiar position

December 3, 2012

Last season, the Alaska Aces became the first team in ECHL history to win the Brabham Cup in consecutive seasons. After starting this season 5-4-0, the Aces have posted an 11-1-0 mark in their past 12 games to move atop the ECHL standings once again with 32 points, one more than Gwinnett.

Alaska concluded its season-long six-game road trip last week with three wins. The week began with a 6-2 win at Stockton on Wednesday. Nate Thompson led the way with three points (2g-1a) while Joey Crabb (0g-2a), Zach Harrison (0g-2a), Kane Lafranchise (0g-2a) and Alexandre Imbeault (1g-1a) each added two points.

On Friday, the Aces skated away with a 2-1 win at Bakersfield. Bobby Hughes scored the game-winner early in the second period, and Gerald Coleman preserved the lead, stopping 20 of 21 Condors’ shots.

The Aces ended the trip with a 4-3 overtime win at Ontario on Saturday. Tommy Mele forced overtime midway through the third period, and Lafranchise notched the game-winning just over a minute into the extra session. Coleman started his third straight game, and earned the win with 22 saves.

Coleman has gone 4-0-0 since rejoining the Aces’ lineup on Nov. 23, and has allowed two goals or less in three of his four appearances.

Crabb leads the Aces with 22 points (9g-13a) while Nick Mazzolini paces the squad with 11 goals, while his five game-winning goals are tied for the league lead.

Alaska’s shorthanded play has been a key to its success this season. The Aces are tied for the league lead with six shorthanded goals while their penalty-kill unit leads the league at 90.2 percent (92-for-102). Crabb (3g-1a) and Thompson (1g-3a) are tied for the league lead with four shorthanded points each.

The Aces host Utah in a four-game home stand, starting on Wednesday, and continuing on Friday, Saturday and Dec. 10.