Bulls Win Streak Snapped by Aces
Anchorage Daily News Jordan Kremyr, left, and William Wrenn of Alaska celebrate a goal by teammate Chris Clackson to tie the game at 2-2 with San Francisco during second-period action Friday evening Jan. 25, 2013 at Sullivan Arena. ERIK HILL — Anchorage Daily News
The Bulls bid for four straight victories was stopped cold by Aces as they lost two to one. The game played out much like the night before with the Aces out shooting the Bulls through the first two periods but the Bulls making a furious push in third, only this time the Aces were able to survive the onslaught. The Aces were led by goaltender Gerald Coleman, who stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced on the night. Bulls goalie Taylor Nelson was equally up to snuff as he stopped 35 of 37 shots on the net, but the offense did not help him at with just a lone goal by Christian Ouellet. A poor offensive night ultimately doomed the Bulls to failure tonight.
First Period:
Much like the Bulls dominated the final period of last night’s game, the Aces came out blazing in the opening period of tonight. The Bulls were held to just five shots, while the Aces were able to more than double their shot total with 12 shots. The Bulls took an early penalty as Jordan Clendenning was called for roughing, which put the Aces on the power play. The Aces were able to capitalize on the man advantage as Alexandre Imbault scored his 11th goal on the season. The Bulls will dig themselves an even deeper hole as the Aces scored a second goal just over a minute later as Garry Nunn found the back of the net. The Bulls were given a power play opportunity midway through the period as B.J. Crum was called for roughing, but the Bulls did nothing with the chance as they gained no momentum for the rest of the frame.
Second Period:
The Bulls would have a better showing in the second as they found some life in the offense. They would give the Aces an early power play as Jonathan Lessard for boarding, but the defense would step up and keep the Aces off the board. The Bulls would get a shot on the power play following a Chris haltigin delay of game minor. The Aces held back the Bulls as they killed of the penalty. The Bulls would get an other play just a few minute later, but again they were denied with the extra man. The Bulls would finally get a much needed goal just 20 seconds following the power play. Christian Ouellet was able to score his third goal in the last two games as he brought the Bulls to within one. The Bulls would never get a chance to build off the momentum as the defense had to kill off three straight Aces’ power plays. The Aces out shot the Bulls 15 to 10 in the second period.
Third Period:
The Bulls offense came at the Aces with full force as they poured on shot after shot. It was all too little, too late as Coleman stood on his head as he stopped all 17 shots he faced in the third period alone. Taylor Nelson gave his team a great chance as he stopped all 23 shots in faced in the final two periods. The Bulls best opportunity came late in the game as the Aces’ Mike Baran was called for tripping with two and half minutes left to play, but the Bulls could never solved Coleman. The Bulls out shot the Aces 17 to eight during the third. The Aces out shot the Bulls 35 to 32 on the game.
Tonight’s game just comes down to poor offensive output. The Bull offense was sluggish for the first half of the game and by the time they found their legs it had allowed Coleman to get into a rhythm. Christian Ouellet scored the only Bulls’ only goal. The goal was his third in the series. Taylor Nelson played magnificent again as he earned his fifth straight game allowing only two goals. The Bulls fall to 16-21-5, while the Aces improve to 32-11-2. The two teams meet tomorrow in the final game of the weekend.
Three Stars:
- Gerald Coleman – Alaska
- Taylor Nelson – San Francisco
- Garry Nunn – Alaska