Four second period goals led the Evansville IceMen to a 4-2 victory late Friday against the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.
The Aces capitalized on their first of three first period power-plays, when Tyler Maxwell snapped a one-timer past IceMen goalie Cody Reichard from low in the right circle to give Alaska a 1-0 at 9:02. Evansville generated just four shots in the frame against Aces goalie Steven Summerhays, as the IceMen trailed by a goal at the first break.
Evansville scored four goals on ten shots in the second period against Summerhays. Justin MacDonald started the scoring after forcing an Aces turnover in the offensive zone and lifting a backhander over Summerhays’ blocker on a wraparound. Justin Breton gave Alaska its second lead with a similar play at the other end, but Ryan Penny ripped a wrist shot over Summerhays’ glove from the point.
Rookie Jordan Sims scored 31 seconds after Penny on a post-to-post pass from Nathan Moon to give the IceMen the lead for good. Late in the frame, Daultan Leveille capped the scoring with a power-play tip-in off a Chris Rumble centering pass.
While Evansville was outshot 40-21, Reichard stopped 38 shots to win his second straight start to begin his IceMen career 2-0.
The two teams will play the second of three games in Anchorage Saturday night at 7:15pm locally (10:15pm in Evansville). Coverage begins at 10pm on www.evansvilleicemen.com and ECHL TV. Fans can also watch the game at Bar Louie in Evansville, the official headquarters for IceMen away games.
