#1 Story of 2011--Alaska Aces Win Kelly Cup

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — 4 out of 5 KTUU panelists agree:  The Alaska Aces trump all comers in the top stories stories of the year poll, just as they did to ECHL opponents during the regular and postseason.  The Aces run to the 2011 championship began with a roster overhaul in the summer of 2010 that landed the team, among others, sniper Wes Goldie, and goaltender Gerald Coleman.  All told, the Aces brought back only two players from the previous season.  Alaska started off hot, winning seven of its first nine, and closed even better, with victories in 23 of their final 28 games of the regular season to earn the ECHL's most wins with 47.  This brought a lot of recognition.  Brent Thompson was voted ECHL coach of the year, Coleman won the top goaltender award, and Goldie claimed the league's MVP with 46 goals.  In the playoffs, the Aces were simply outstanding, sweeping the first two rounds of the playoffs to advance into the Kelly Cup Finals against Kalamazoo.  Up two games to none, the Aces dropped game three for their only loss of the postseason, and went on to capture the title in five games.  Scott Howes was named playoff MVP for his 19 points in 12 postseason games.  Including their run at the tail end of the regular season, Alaska won an amazing 35 of its last 41 games.