IDAHO DEALS ALASKA FOURTH STRAIGHT SETBACK
Dec 18th, 2009
BOISE, Idaho - Marty Flichel registered a hat trick as Idaho defeated Alaska 4-2 in front of 4,225 Friday night at Qwest Arena.
The Aces have dropped four consecutive games for the second time this season and trail the first-place Steelheads (now an ECHL-best 21-5-2) by 20 points in the West Division standings. Alaska and Idaho meet again tomorrow night on KFQD 750 AM, with coverage getting underway at 4:45 p.m. AT.
John Swanson opened the game's scoring with a power play goal for the Steelheads at 7:09 of the first period, but the Aces countered with one of their own, as Nick Mazzolini (pictured in black) buried his 12th of the season on the man advantage at 9:33. His 12 goals leave him in a tie for fourth among ECHL rookies.
Flichel snapped the 1-1 deadlock early in the second period, scoring on a drive from the left circle at 2:21. He followed with a second-chance rebound with 5:21 left in the frame, pushing the margin to 3-1 with 20 minutes to play.
John Lammers, who had assisted on Mazzolini's goal, scored his 15th goal in 14 ECHL games at 2:23 of the third period, drawing the visitors to within a goal. The Aces failed to capitalize on a subsequent power play with a chance to tie the game, and just after killing a penalty, gave up Flichel's third of the night off the rush with 9:13 left in regulation.
Alaska was out-shot 32-26, including 13-7 in the decisive second period. Goaltender Sebastian Dahm recorded 28 saves but lost his third straight decision.
