Jaromir Blagr: The Hockey Blog

Some thoughts (and not brainy ones) on Aces' season-opening setback

Hey, Cowbell Crew, always remember: It's never too early to start over-reacting.

The Alaska Aces' season-opening 3-1 loss to the Ontario Reign ought to suffice as reason to panic. (Hey, we kid; it's one game and, frankly, Reign coach Jason Christie doesn't exactly roll with a crew of stiffs -- he's won three straight Pacific Division crowns).

Yes, the Aces went scoreless on four power plays, but they generated chances. Ontario goaltender Joe Cannata (30 saves) was very good. Tidy about rebounds, he was.

Derek Couture, whose game The Blagr has always admired for its skills, tenacity and toughness, furnished Tyler Spurgeon with a lovely pass on Ontario's first goal, a power-play marker. Aces goalie Niklas Lundstrom in his North American debut (28 saves) reacted as if he didn't see Zach Bell's shot from atop the right circle, which beat him high blocker side. And Ontario's third goal, well that was simply a case of Aces defenseman Quinn Sproule not being strong enough on the puck as he tried to work his way up ice to Lundstrom's left and got pick-pocketed. Super-quick move by Maxim Kitsyn to make the steal, turn and fire over Lundstrom's glove.

Alaska's first line of center Chris Francis and wingers Brendan Connolly and Greg Wolfe can flat-out fly -- that unit holds big possibilities.

Considering four of the six defensemen Alaska dressed Friday weren't even on the team a week ago, they didn't give up chances in bunches. Too many turnovers, sure, but decent in the big picture.

And, hey, folks, do remember, on any occasion the Aces are on the power play, be sure to scream "Shoot!'' the second they enter the offensive zone.

ADVERTISEMENT

That's about all. Please tip your waitresses and do us a favor by following @JaromirBlagr because that is where we intend to tweet all Aces info, and really all Alaska-connected hockey info, from now on.

Be cool, keep it light -- we've got 71 more regular-season games -- and we'll see ya around the rink

Doyle Woody

Doyle Woody covered hockey and other sports for the Anchorage Daily News for 34 years.

ADVERTISEMENT