Sports

Redmann backstops Aces to another road win

In playoff mode with about a quarter of the ECHL regular season remaining, the Alaska Aces have finally begun delivering on the road.

Their 3-1 victory at Colorado on Friday night, which followed Wednesday's 2-1 shootout win over the Eagles, was another quintessential road performance -- ride goaltending and defense, don't give the home crowd much reason to become energized, await opportunity and strike.

Friday's win in a game that was scoreless through two periods -- that's the only time that has happened in 53 Aces games this season -- allowed the Aces to creep within three points of Utah for the Pacific Division's last playoff spot. Alaska has one game in hand on the Grizzlies.

Though the Aces are 9-12-2 on the road, they are 4-1-1 in their last six road games covering two trips.

Troy Redmann furnished the Aces 27 saves two nights after he stymied the Eagles on 40 saves in regulation and overtime, and snuffed four of five shooters in the skills contest. Picked up off waivers from Colorado in January, Redmann improved to 6-1-1 for the Aces and elevated his save percentage for them to .920.

Facing an explosive team playing before a typically sold-out house at the Budweiser Events Center, the Aces killed all four Eagles power plays and never trailed.

For 40 minutes, the game had all the hallmarks of a 1-0 final -- that's only happened 11 times in Aces history, which spans 12 seasons and 992 combined regular-season and playoff games. Only twice in 53 games this season has an Aces game been scoreless through even one period.

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Newcomer Erik Higby, playing his third pro game, opened the scoring three minutes into the third period with his first play-for-pay goal.

Colorado's Kyle Kraemer answered less than four minutes later to forge a 1-1 tie, but Alaska's Curt Gogol furnished the game-winning strike with 85 seconds left in regulation. Gogol's goal, off helpers from linemates Tim Coffman and Chris Francis, marked his 12th goal in 18 games with the Aces.

Justin Breton cemented victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Alaska's lineup received a boost with the return of winger Ryan Walters (one assist) from the American Hockey League and winger Bryan Cameron's return after sitting out Wednesday with an upper-body injury. Cameron generated a game-high six shots on goal.

The additions of Walters and Cameron were much-needed injections of talent and depth for a club that is missing key players to either AHL promotions or injuries.

The Aces close their three-game set against the Eagles on Saturday night, travel to California on Sunday, then play Monday at Bakersfield and Tuesday at Ontario.

After that, there is rest for the weary. The Aces do not play again until March 11, when they open a three-game homestand against Colorado.

Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockey-blog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr

Doyle Woody

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

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