Jaromir Blagr: The Hockey Blog

Saturday rink roundup: Aces, UAF, Ice Dogs all win; UAA, Kenai River lose

In our quick rundown of Saturday night, we lead with the Alaska Aces and their four-goal, third-period explosion, which sparked a 4-1 win over visiting Utah.

Olivier Archambault and Ryan Walters each bagged two goals -- that gives Archambault 18 goals, tops among ECHL rookies, and gives Walters six goals in the last five games. Both of Walters' goals were short-handed -- granted, the second one into an empty net -- and he's tied for the ECHL lead in that category.

The Aces have earned points in 11 straight home games (9-0-2), which ties for the fourth-longest such streak in the franchise's ECHL history.

Also winning was UAF, which spanked Ferris State 6-0 in a WCHA game in Fairbanks and gave the Nanooks a series sweep. Sure the Bulldogs will be in a great mood when they hit Anchorage to play UAA twice this week.

UAF goaltender Davis Jones bagged his fourth shutout this season, which ties him for the national lead. He stopped 26 shots. The Nanooks got at least one point for 12 different dudes. Marcus Basara and Zach Frye each had one goal and a helper.

UAA became the first WCHA team ever swept at Alabama-Huntsville, falling 2-1 after falling 3-2 on Friday. The Seawolves are tied for last place in the 10-team WCHA and need to get it going in a hurry. On an uplifting note, UAA freshman goaltender Jared D'Amico made his college debut and did his part, stopping 25 of 27 shots.

Note that UAA and Ferris play Thursday and Friday at Sullivan Arena instead of the usual Friday-Saturday series.

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On the NAHL front, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs won on the road, 3-2 over Keystone. Jacob Hetz had two goals to give him 20, second on the circuit. Kevin Aldridge, who left Lake Superior State of the WCHA recently and returned to the Ice Dogs, stopped 32 of 34 shots. Chandler Madry had an assist for the Ice Dogs and is tied for the league lead in scoring with 15-31--46 totals in 35 games.

Meanwhile, the Kenai River Brown Bears continue to struggle. They fell 5-2 at Johnstown and are winless (0-8-2) in their last 10 matches. Ouch.

Doyle Woody

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

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