ACES GET EARLY REMATCH WITH STOCKTON, ADD GAUDET
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Aces will play host to the Stockton Thunder October 5 and 6 at 7:15 p.m. in the team's annual pre-season games to benefit cancer awareness. The club also signed rookie defenseman Craig Gaudet (pictured).
The Aces once again will ask their fans to help make a difference in the Anchorage community by showing their support in the fight against cancer in the fourth edition of the organization's pre-season classic, which this season, offers a rematch of an ECHL first round playoff series last April that resulted in Alaska's earliest exit from the postseason since 2002. The Aces entered that series a slight favorite against the Thunder, but were forced to play their two home games in Wasilla as a result of a Sullivan Arena conflict. After splitting in the Valley, Alaska, the defending conference champions, lost a pair in Stockton and suffered its first loss ever in an ECHL opening round playoff series.
The Aces will don purple for the pre-season games Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Thunder, who most likely will wear black. The Sullivan Arena ice will be dyed a light purple; again, in conjunction with the theme of the two-game series driven toward battling cancer. Last year, head coach Brent Thompson's club swept Kalamazoo in two pre-season match-ups, leaving Alaska 11-3 in its 14 home matches leading into the regular season since entering the ECHL in 2003. Both games will be broadcast live on KFQD 750 AM, with live coverage getting underway at 7 p.m. each night.
The 25-year-old Gaudet (pronounced Gaw-DAY) joins the Aces as a free agent out of St. Cloud State (Minn.) University. After appearing in just 15 games over his first three collegiate campaigns, scoring twice and assisting on four other goals, Craig earned regular ice time in his senior season, playing 38 contests for a Huskies club that reached the NCAA West Regional Final before losing to Wisconsin. He scored three goals, including the game-winner against North Dakota 11/14/09, and handed out seven assists, including a playmaker in a win over Michigan Tech 1/8/10. Prior to enrolling at St. Cloud, Gaudet spent three years playing junior-A in Nanaimo (BCHL), racking up 107 points (18g-89a) in 152 games for the Clippers.
The Alaska Aces Facebook Page is now up and running at the following link:
The Aces on Facebook offers updated information about deals and specials on tickets, merchandise and promotions during the season. Stay connected with the Aces and review photos from each series, relive past Aces celebrations, and prepare for new ones. Fans also can learn more about the Alaska Aces Cancer Awareness Games page on Facebook and have the opportunity to add their personal cancer game photos, videos and stories with other Aces fans.
NewsTalk 750 KFQD, the flagship station of the Alaska Aces for more than a decade, has launched a FREE streaming audio App for iPhone! Just head to the iTunes App store and search "KFQD." The free download takes just a few seconds and you'll get LIVE Streaming audio from KFQD 24/7, including all Aces games (home and away) anywhere you get wi-fi or 3G coverage. The application is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and the new Apple iPad.
2010-11 Alaska Aces season tickets remain on sale at the team headquarters, located at 15th & Gambell, between 9am-5pm.
