ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Idaho Finds More OT Magic in 2-1 Thriller

Published on April 28, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Chase Schaber's back-hander from the slot beat Jean-Francois Berube over the blocker at 9:36 of overtime lifted the Idaho Steelheads to a dramatic, 2-1 victory over the Ontario Reign Saturday night in the ECHL Western Conference semifinals.

Schaber's goal, set up by a brilliant effort by defenseman Gord Baldwin at the left point, gave Idaho a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series. Game 6 is Tuesday night in Ontario.

The visiting Reign struck early in the first period on a goal-mouth scramble as Kevin Estrada finally nudged a loose puck over the goal line at 4:33 of the opening frame to give Ontario a 1-0 lead. The goal came after a prolonged battle near the top of the crease. Estrada's third of the postseason was assisted by Brady Calla.

Idaho nearly tied it multiple times in the first period. During nearly 90 seconds of 5-on-3 power play time midway through the first, Justin Taylor had a slam-dunk rebound hop over his stick and Tyler Gron's redirection at the left post just trickled wide. Then, later in the period, another open rebound shot skipped away from Adrian Foster as the Reign held a 1-0 lead into the second period. Ontario's bid to extend the lead midway through the second was denied when Josh Robinson stopped Everett Sheen from the left circle to keep Idaho within a goal.

Finally, at 16:21 of the second, Idaho would tie the score. Matt Case's shot from the high slot was saved by Berube but the rebound bounded directly onto the tape of Foster, who snapped a quick shot past Berube's blocker to tie the game, 1-1. Case and Hubert Labrie assisted on Foster's third of the playoffs.

Neither team could score in the third as Robinson and Berube settled in to a good, old-fashioned goaltender's duel. Early in overtime, Robinson denied Cameron Burt at the left post and later he stopped former Steelhead Jake Hauswirth's open look from the slot. Idaho's Austin Smith was robbed by Berube six minutes into overtime as well and David deKastrozza nearly ended it with a backhander from the top of the crease as the overtime action sped from end to end.

Just past the midway point of overtime, the Steelheads dumped the puck into the offensive zone. Ontario attempted to clear but, under heavy duress, Baldwin was able to keep the puck in the zone. As he was battling with an Ontario forward, he flipped the puck into the slot to Schaber who beat Berube over the blocker at 9:36 of the overtime with a backhand to win the game. Schaber now has four professional goals - two in the regular season and two in the playoffs. All four have been game-winners.

The Steelheads have played five home games during the 2013 ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs, with four going to overtime. Idaho is now 3-1 in those games and 4-1 in overtime overall as the team defeated Ontario in extra time in the series opener on the road.

Robinson picked up the win with 38 saves on 39 shots. He stopped 67 of 68 shots he faced (.985 save percentage) between Idaho's two wins on Friday and Saturday. Berube was strong in defeat, stopping 29 of 31 Idaho shots. Neither team scored on the power play, Idaho going 0-4 and Ontario going 0-3.

Game 6 of the series is Tuesday night in Ontario at 8 PM (Mtn). Game 7, if necessary, would be Wednesday night, also in Ontario.

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ECHL Stories from April 28, 2013


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