The Alaska Aces appeared dedicated to giving Adam Courchaine a break for the vast majority of Sunday night's third period.
Team defensive struggles of late and general human decency suggested the Aces' goaltender was more than deserving of a little down time.
Alas, it didn't last. However, the Aces picked up another ECHL win.
Alaska 4, Bakersfield 3.
The Aces (35-14-6) barged out to a four-goal lead at Sullivan Arena and held Bakersfield without a shot on goal for more than 16 minutes in the third period.
But the Condors clawed back into contention with three goals in the final 2 minutes, 28 seconds to make the final outcome much closer than just about anyone in attendance expected.
Alaska allowed 73 goals in its first 39 games of the season, an average of 1.87 per game. In its last 16 games, it has surrendered 58 (3.625 average).
After erupting offensively in a 9-4 romp over the Condors the night before, the Aces talked about giving a strong defensive effort in the series finale.
Mission accomplished, for about 57 minutes of game time.
"For the first half of the season, we were a solid defensive team," said defenseman Kane Lafranchise, who opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, a first-period, power-play strike at 18:25. "On our last road trip and during our slump, we kind of got away from that.
"Adam has been playing it through it all and has been a trooper."
The Aces controlled nearly every facet of the contest until the late Bakersfield rally.
Chris Langkow scored his third goal in as many games to give Alaska a 2-0 lead in the second period.
Bryan Miller's power-play blast from the right point stretched the advantage to 3-0 at 10:14 of the third period. Nick Mazzolini completed a splendid rush into the Condors zone with linemates Gary Nunn (three assists) and Langkow for his 17th goal at 13:38, making it 4-0.
Then, late in the third period, Bakersfield pushed back and Alaska relented.
Condors forward Tyler Helfrich delivered a power-play goal from the slot at 17:32.
Bakersfield called timeout shortly after and pulled goaltender Matt Keetley for an extra attacked at 18:42. Anchorage's Evan Trupp, the ECHL's reigning player of the week, completed a memorable series (four goals in three games) with a Bakersfield goal at 19:19.
Then at 19:35, Kyle Calder slipped a loose puck past Courchaine to really ratchet up the tension for the Aces and their fans.
But the Aces didn't falter around their goalie and managed to successfully clear the puck a couple of times before time expired.
The win marked Alaska's first back-to-back wins in 13 games. And though his goals-against average and save percentage took a late beating, Courchaine collected his 18th win in net. He made five of his 16 saves in the final minutes of play.
"Adam has stayed positive through it all," Lafranchise said. "He's just trying to kick and do everything he can to help us win.
"I give him credit for coming out every game like he has. As a defensive unit, we have to make it simpler for everyone. It doesn't just fall on him."
Shuffling the deck
Alaska has today off before it gets back to practice Tuesday in preparation for a three-game home series against Las Vegas that begins Thursday ... Aces forwards Jordan Kremyr and Tyler Ruegsegger each missed their third consecutive games with undisclosed injuries...Actor Erik Estrada, "Ponch" from the television series "CHiPs", dropped the ceremonial first puck. Estrada is in town doing some charity work ... Alaska's nine-goal outburst Saturday night was its most since a 9-6 win over the Victoria Salmon Kings on Dec. 2, 2006. Wes Goldie, who scored three goals for the Aces in Saturday's win, totaled two goals and an assist playing for Victoria in that game.
Bakersfield 0 0 3 -- 3
Aces 1 1 2 -- 4
First Period -- 1, Aces, Lafranchise 2 (Anderson, Nunn), 18:25 (pp). Penalties -- Goldie, Aces (tripping), 8:33; Gimblett, Bakersfield (slashing), 17:23; Pender, Bakersfield (delay of game), 18:56.
Second Period -- 2, Aces, Langkow 3 (Nunn, Mazzolini), 10:10. Penalties -- Stanfield, Bakersfield (tripping), 10:33; Yaworski, Bakersfield (interference), 14:26.
Third Period -- 3, Aces, Miller 9 (Swanson, Ward), 10:14 (pp); 4, Aces, Mazzolini 17 (Nunn, Langkow), 13:38; 5, Bakersfield, Helfrich 12 (Pierro-Zabotel, Van Dyk), 17:32 (pp); 6, Bakersfield, Trupp 9 (Helfrich); 7, Bakersfield, Calder 3 (Dee, McKenzie), 19:35. Penalties -- Trupp, Bakersfield (high-sticking), 9:14; Pierro-Zabotel, Bakersfield (boarding), 9:48; Ward, Aces (high-sticking), 15:55; Courchaine, Aces, served by Mazzolini (unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:35; McKenzie, Bakersfield, minor-major (charging, fighting), 19:57; Ward, Aces, major (fighting), 19:57.
Shots on goal -- Bakersfield 7-4-8--19. Aces 9-13-11--33.
Power-play Opportunities -- Bakersfield 1 of 4. Aces 2 of 6.
Goalies -- Bakersfield, Keetley, 10-17-2 (33 shots-29 saves). Aces, Courchaine, 18-10-4 (19-16).
A -- 3,982 (6,399). T -- 2:17.
Referee -- Don Jablonski. Linesmen -- Scott Sivulich, Steve Glines.
By MATT NEVALA
Daily News correspondent