Aces will play in Valley

WASILLA — It’s official.

The Alaska Aces have clinched a spot in the playoffs and will open the postseason Monday at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla.

Tickets are now on sale for a pair of playoff games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at 7:35 p.m. at the Menard, and can be purchased in the Valley at the Seward-Meridian Subway and the Target GCI store. All of the tickets sold in the Valley are standing-room-only, according to a press release issued by the Aces. Fans interested in purchasing other tickets can contact the Aces office at 258-ACES. No tickets will be sold at the Menard Arena.

The Menard Arena typically seats about 2,200 fans, but city of Wasilla recreation and cultural services manager James Hastings said late last month the capacity will balloon to 3,000 with some changes. City of Wasilla officials are working to prepare the arena for the potential influx of hockey fans.

Hastings said plans include adding tiered seating on the floor, level with the ice. The city will also place more tiered seating in other areas of the arena that can safely accommodate more fans. There will also be a bulk of standing-room-only tickets, Hastings said.

Hastings said half of that capacity will be set aside for Aces season ticket holders. The other 1,500 tickets will be available for purchase.

The Aces are forced to move their first two playoff games 40 miles north due to a scheduling conflict with the Sullivan Arena. The ECHL has set a window from April 5-12 for the first round. The Sullivan is hosting the Great Alaska Sportsman’s Show from April 8-11 and organizers of the event reserved the days in front of the event to set up for the show.

The Aces punched their ticket to the East Coast Hockey League Kelly Cup playoffs with a 4-3 win over the Idaho Steelheads at the Sullivan Arena on Wednesday.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.