However you want to judge the last two games of the ECHL playoff series between Stockton and Las Vegas -- paging Dr. Heimlich to the Stockton dressing room or giving Las Vegas serious props from its remarkable comebacks -- this best-of-7 ECHL drill has not been boring.

Las Vegas earned a 3-1 series lead Friday night when it came back from a 3-0 deficit early in the second period, got to overtime on the strength of a third-period goal by former UAF Nanooks skater Kelly Czuy, killed three Stockton power plays in overtime and finally rejoiced courtesy of the winning goal from defenseman Jason Krischuk of Anchorage at 19:40 of extra time.

That win came after a 3-2 Las Vegas win in Game 3, when Stockton led 2-1 inside the last two minutes before Tyler Mosienko struck on the power play with 75 seconds left in regulation and Aki Seitsonen -- does this sound familiar, Alaska Aces fans? -- bagged a short-handed game winner with just 12 ticks left.

Oh, Las Vegas' other win, 5-4 in Game 2, came on the first shift of overtime.

Anyhow, this series is of note to Alaska hockey fans more than just because a local boy (Krischuk) is involved. The Aces play the winner of this series in the second round. Stay tuned -- Game 5 of Stockton-Vegas is Sunday in Stockton, where Friday night's dramatics must have made for quiet dispersal among the 5,569 stunned fans at Stockton Arena.