Former Viper Fraser Wins Second Straight Kelly Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Curtis Fraser and the ECHL Alaska Aces won their second straight Kelly Cup with a 5-3 win over former Vernon Vipers forward, Dean Strong and the Kalamazoo Wings Saturday night. Fraser is in his second season with the Aces collecting (6-4-10) in 13 playoff games. Fraser played a single season in Vernon (2002-03) before playing four years at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Strong is in his second year with the Wings collecting (7-7-14) in 15 playoff games. Strong played just one season with the Vipers (2004-05) before playing four years with the University of Vermont.

This is posted on the Aces website:

ALASKA WINS KELLY CUP WITH 5-3 WIN

May 21st, 2011

The Aces won their second ever Kelly Cup Championship with a 5-3 win over the Kalamazoo Wings to win the ECHL Final four games to one. Scott Howes was named the Most Valuable Player of the ECHL Playoffs. For more information, and the latest promotional news and updates, fans can visit the Aces at their Facebook page for more information, or call the Aces at 907.258.ACES.

The game began with an evenly played opening period. The Aces outshot the K-Wings 11-10 in the period, but Kalamazoo hit two posts in the frame. The game went to the second period scoreless.

The offense broke through in the second. Kalamazoo got on the board first when Brian McGuirk scored on a deflection at 2:58. The Aces responded immediately. 32 seconds after the goal, Steve Ward’s sharp-angle shot caromed off of Sam Ftorek’s skate and into the net to make it 1-1. Alaska then took their first lead on a power play. Chris Langkow scored on a rebound at 13:54. The K-Wings then answered when A.J. Thelen scored off an offensive zone faceoff at 15:51. The Aces took the lead before the intermission when Chad Anderson scored at 18:53. The Aces outshot the K-Wings 13-8 in the frame.

The third period was a game of cat and mouse with the Aces pulling away and the K-Wings inching back. Goals from Langkow and Curtis Fraser were enough to propel Alaska to victory.

Gerald Coleman (11-1) earned the win, making 27 saves on 30 shots. Ryan Nie (12-6) suffered the loss, and made 29 saves on 34 shots. The Aces went 1-3 on the power play, while the K-Wings went 0-2. The Aces outshot the Wings 34-30 in the game.

All fans are invited to join the Aces at a Kelly Cup Finals victory party on Monday night at Sullivan Arena. The party begins at 7:15pm, and doors open at 6:45pm.

#1 Alaska Aces vs. #3 Kalamazoo Wings

Game 1 – Alaska, 5 Kalamazoo, 0
Game 2 – Alaska, 3 Kalamazoo, 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Kalamazoo, 4 Alaska, 1
Game 4 – Alaska, 7 Kalamazoo, 5
Game 5 – Alaska, 5 Kalamazoo, 3