Aces double up Steelheads, 6-3

(Anchorage, AK) - Dan Kissel scored two power play goals to break a 1-1 tie and propel the Alaska Aces to a 6-3 victory over the Idaho Steelheads Saturday night in front of 4,694 fans at Anchorage's Sullivan Arena. Kissel's goals bridged the first intermission, with his first power-play tally coming on a goal-mouth scrum at 13:16 of the first period to give the Aces a 2-1 lead. His second power play goal came 1:48 into the second frame, giving Alaska a two-goal lead that it would not relinquish. Idaho's first goal came off the stick of Michael Neal on an assist from Derek Matheson at 10:58 of the first period. The Aces stretched the lead to 4-1 in the second period on an Ethan Cox goal just 14 seconds after Kissel's second power-play tally. Cox tipped a long shot from the blue line by Steve Ward, moving the puck past Jimmy Spratt to make it a three-goal game. Idaho got a goal back at 15:25 of the second when Ian Lowe fed Tommy Lange in the right-hand circle and Lange wristed a shot inside the far post, his second tally in three games with Idaho, to make it 4-2. Alaska (30-6-5) able to re-establish the three-goal lead on another goal-mouth battle and led 5-2 going into the final frame. Idaho (18-18-3) once again clipped a goal off the Alaska lead when Derek LeBlanc's seventh of the season snuck under Courchaine's arm on the short side, making it 5-3 at 2:03 of the third. Idaho had a power play inside the final five minutes, attempting to get within a goal, when Jordan Kremyr scored short-handed to seal the deal for the Aces. Adam Courchaine defeated Idaho for the first time this season as Alaska snapped a five-game losing streak to the Steelheads with the victory. Courchaine stopped 23 of 26 shots in the win. Alaska was 2-4 on the powre play while Idaho was 0-3. The team returns home on Tuesday, January 24, to host the Stockton Thunder. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Derek LeBlanc AQUA FINA "3 STARS" - (1) Dan Kissel (AK) (2) Wes Goldie (AK) (3) Nick Mazzolini (AK) Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim?s Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.