Utah Grizzlies fall to Aces in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Aces defeated the Utah Grizzlies 3-1 Wednesday evening at the Sullivan Arena in a matchup of the top two teams in the ECHL.

The league-leading Aces (16-4-1-1) extended their unbeaten streak to 10-straight games in the process at 8-0-1-1. The Grizzlies (13-7-0-1) four-game unbeaten streak came to an end. The two teams will square off again Friday and Saturday in Alaska.

Utah took a 1-0 lead with 21 seconds left in the first period as Justin Dowling (3) picked up a turnover in between the circles and worked in on Aces goaltender Gerald Coleman who had no chance on the play.

Alaska, however, finished the game with three-straight goals, starting 1:40 into the second period on the power-play as Kane LaFranchise scored. The Aces made it 2-1 with 3:17 left in the second period when Matt Ambroz tapped in a loose puck as Alaska raced up ice. They made it 3-1 in the third as Wes Goldie took a centering pass in transition for the insurance goal.

Shane Owen stopped 29 of 32 shots as he suffered his first regulation loss of the year and dropped to 3-1-0-1.

The Grizzlies return home Dec. 14 and Dec. 16 for 7:05 p.m. face-offs.