ANCHORAGE, ALASKA -The Alaska Aces overcame a 2-0 second period deficit to knock off the Gwinnett Gladiators 4-3 in Game 2 of the 2006 Kelly Cup Finals by and take a 2-games-to-0 lead in the best-of-seven finals series. Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Finals is Monday, Memorial Day, May 29th at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 5:05 p.m.
The Gladiators jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the Aces on the power play at the 11:22 mark of the first period. Derek Nesbitt posted the goal as he re-directed Troy Milam's slap shot from the point past Alaska netminder Chris Beckford-Tseu for his 5th goal of the post season. Brad Schell collected an assist on the marker as he worked the puck off the dasher board and slid the puck to Milam at the point.
Jeff Campbell gave the Gladiators a 2-0 lead with a 5-on-3 power play goal midway through the second period. Milam worked the puck to Campbell parked on the back door to set up the tally. Schell collected his second assist of the game on the power play goal at 9:59 mark of the second period.
Alaska stormed back before the end of the middle stanza to tie the game at two with a pair of power play markers by Chris Minard. His first came at the 14:58 mark of the second period as he was parked in the slot behind the Gladiators defense and flipped the puck into the net past Gladiators goaltender Adam Berkhoel for the marker. Alex Leavitt had an assist on the goal finding Minard open in the slot. Mike Scott also picked up an assist on the power play goal at the 14:58 mark of the second period.
Minard's second also came on a power play as Gwinnett was scrambling on the penalty kill. Minard took a shot that flew harmlessly past the net but a Gwinnett defenseman sliding back to corral the puck pushed it into the net for the Alaska goal. The unassisted goal came with 1:49 left in the second period.
Ryan Gaucher gave the Aces a 3-2 lead with Alaska's third power play goal of the game. Sliding in from the point, Gaucher ripped a slap shot over the shoulder of Berkhoel for the marker at the 9:11 mark of the third period. Minard and Leavitt collected the assists on the go-ahead goal.
Minard completed the hat trick with an empty net goal with 43 seconds left in the third period. Mike Scott and Peter Metcalf collected the assists on the goal that gave the Aces a two-goal cushion.
Jon Awe got the Gladiators back within a goal with 16 seconds left in the third period. Keeping the puck in at the blue line, Awe ripped a turn around shot past Beckford-Tseu to get Gwinnett back within a goal. Awe's 4th goal of the post season came unassisted for the Gladiators.
Adam Berkhoel finished with 22 saves in the game for the Gladiators. Four of the six goals combined in the game were posted on the power play.
KELLY CUP FINALS
ECHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
GWINNETT 1 1 1 3
ALASKA 0 2 2 4 FINAL
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: GWN - (PP) DEREK NESBITT 6 (TROY MILAM, BRAD SCHELL) 12:22
2ND PRD: GWN - (PP) JEFF CAMPBELL 6 (TROY MILAM, BRAD SCHELL) 9:59
AKA - (PP) CHRIS MINARD 14 (ALEX LEAVITT, MIKE SCOTT) 14:58
AKA - (PP) CHRIS MINARD 15 (UNASSISTED) 18:11
3RD PRD: AKA - (PP) RYAN GAUCHER 2 (CHRIS MINARD, ALEX LEAVITT) 9:11
AKA - (EN) CHRIS MINARD 16 (MIKE SCOTT, PETER METCALF) 19:17
GWN - JON AWE 4 (UNASSISTED) 19:44
POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: GWN - 2 OF 7, AKA - 3 OF 6.
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
GWN 11 17 8 36
AKA 6 9 11 26
GOALIES: GWN - ADAM BERKHOEL
AKA - CHRIS BECKFORD-TSEU
OFFICIALS: REF - NYGEL PELLETIER
LIN - DAVID JONES, ROB FAY
ATT: 6,253
The Gwinnett Gladiators continue the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs against the Alaska Aces at the Arena at Gwinnett Center for Game 3 on Monday, Memorial Day, May 29th at 5:05 p.m. The Gladiators offer several ticket packages for different needs as well as group outings, suites and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators play all home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center located on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth and are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.
Tuesday
July 22nd, 2025
8:12AM
