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The Alaska Aces' one-goal lead seemed tenuous in the opening minutes of the second period Friday night. The Utah Grizzlies threatened so furiously, an equalizer seemed imminent.And then, in a span of 75 seconds, it was virtually game over.The Aces' quick-strike offense forged two lovely goals to afford them a three-goal cushion, and they cruised to a 5-1 hockey win at Sullivan Arena that extended their unbeaten streak to six games and left them with the best winning percentage in the ECHL.Alaska's 2-1 lead suddenly ballooned to 4-1 after Colin Hemingway used his backhand to redirect a backhanded pass from linemate Cam Keith and roof a goal, then rookie Jordan Foreman finished a 2-on-1, give-and-go with Tomas Kana.Only moments before, the Grizzlies peppered Alaska rookie goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux with six shots in the opening three minutes. Then, suddenly, two line rushes and the Aces were golden.For Aces alternate captain Matt Shasby, that ability to withstand pressure -- courtesy of stalwart goaltending -- and then answer with punishing counter-strikes felt familiar. What came to mind was 2005-06, the season in which the Aces hoisted the Kelly Cup."That kind of reminds me a little of the year we won the Cup,'' Shasby said. "We'd get two quick ones (in the first period), kind of take 10 minutes off, come out the next period, take a few minutes to get going and then pop in a couple goals.''Hemingway and Foreman each notched a Gordie Howe hat trick -- goal, assist and fight. The Aces received goals from four different players -- Shasby and center Alexandre Imbeault furnished the first-period goals, and center Vladimir Novak closed the scoring in the third period with his first goal of the season.And Lamoureux was everything he has been lately -- nearly unbeatable, with 33 saves."We're an explosive team,'' said Hemingway, who has furnished points in 10 of 11 games. "We have guys who can put the puck in the net. And Lamoureux obviously stood on his head again.''At 8-2-1 for a winning percentage of .773, the Aces have gone 5-0-1 in the last six games. In that span, Lamoureux, who has played every second this season, has surrendered just six goals and stopped 175 of 181 shots. That gives him a 0.98 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage during the streak.The West Division-leading Aces, who entertain division opponent Utah (6-4-0) again tonight and Sunday, are getting production from their veterans.With 11 points in 11 games, Shasby is tied for first in league scoring among defensemen. Hemingway (17 points in 11 games) and center Josh Soares (17 points in nine games) -- who is only a second-year pro but plays like a skilled vet -- are tied for fifth in the league in points. Veteran wing Cam Keith, who authored two helpers Friday, has assists in six straight games. And captain Scott Burt set up Novak's goal to earn his first point as an Ace.But injuries and call-ups to the American Hockey League have given newcomers a chance to contribute.Foremost is Lamoureux, who is securing the Aces in a cocoon of comfort. The only goal he gave up Friday came when Grizzlies defenseman Reagan Leslie stopped Alaska's attempted clearing pass and zipped a pass to Tom May, who was all alone in the low slot.May flicked a wrister over Lamoureux's glove. Other than that, the Grizzlies, who in this three-game series are without leading scorer Ryan Kinasewich (upper-body injury), didn't give the rookie much trouble."You feel like the first (shot) is always going to be stopped, which is a feeling every team loves to have,'' Shasby said. "It's definitely a luxury at this level. That means you're going to win a lot of games.''Foreman is another young player who is chipping in. His goal was his second in just seven games.Production from guys like him will be critical after the news that second-year winger Brett Hemingway could be out for a few weeks. Hemingway, cut on the right ankle by an opponent's skate last week, underwent surgery Thursday for a partially torn tendon.Foreman, who can mix some skill with a rough-and-tumble style, wants to make an impact of some kind."That's my goal,'' he said. "I want to help out any way I can, whether it's scoring goals when we need it or finishing my checks and being strong on the puck.''
Shuffling the deck• Brett Hemingway attended the game on crutches and said he can't yet put any weight on his ankle."I've definitely got the one-foot hop down,'' he said after hopping up to the balcony section for a between-periods radio interview.• Soares assisted on Colin Hemingway's goal to give him points in all nine games he has played. His seven-game goal streak, however, was snapped.• Defenseman Lee Green picked up his first assist of the season. And Keith now has eight assists in the last six games.• The Aces killed both Utah power plays. Their 92.1-percent penalty-killing efficiency leads the 23-team league.