The Alaska Aces' frequent stumbling starts to games mirrors their stumbling start to the hockey season.
The Aces' minus-9 goal differential in first periods ranked fourth-worst in the ECHL through Monday, and first periods are by far the club's worst period on that front. Alaska is plus-1 in second-period goal differential and, discounting empty-net goals, minus-1 in third periods.
Alaska (10-13-0) also has shown an alarming propensity to surrender early goals. In 23 games, opponents on 10 occasions have scored the game's first goal inside the opening five minutes. That has happened in each of the Aces' losses on their current four-game losing streak, which matches their worst stretch of the season and ties for the fourth-worst losing streak in the team's 12 ECHL seasons.
And while the Aces lead the circuit in shots per game (34.39) and average 6.65 shots per game more than their opponents, none of that advantage has been generated in first periods. The Aces only average .21 more shots than opponents in first periods.
All those shortcomings help explain why the Aces have led only seven of their 23 games after one period entering a three-game series with the Bakersfield Condors that opens with Wednesday night's game at Sullivan Arena.
Inconsistent goaltending has proved an issue for the Aces. Their team save percentage of .882 through Monday ranked third-worst in the league. Even that number comes with a caveat, because current Alaska backup Aaron Crandall is listed in the Aces' stats, and his lone ECHL appearance this season was a 23-save shutout for Bakersfield. Throw out that game and Alaska's true team save percentage is .878, second-worst in the league.
Anecdotally, the Aces also appear to be giving up more quality scoring chances in the opening one-third of the regular season than they have in coach Rob Murray's previous three seasons. That means goaltender Niklas Lundstrom, who has played the vast majority of minutes, isn't getting the same lock-down defensive work in front of him that the club's blueliners and forwards furnished previous goalies.
The Aces against the Condors will be without second-year defenseman Brad Richard, their leading scorer from the blue line (7-5—12 totals in 23 games), who Tuesday earned his first promotion to the American Hockey League. Richard, an ECHL All-Rookie pick last season, was loaned to the Iowa Wild.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockey-blog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr