Robinson Stops 42 to Open Playoffs with a Win
April 18, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL) - Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Josh Robinson turned aside 42 shots, including a highlight-reel save on Kyle Ostrow in the second period, and David deKastrozza netted a pair of goals as the Idaho Steelheads opened the 2014 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, presented by KeyBank, with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Eagles.
Idaho leads the best-of-seven series, one game to none, despite being out-shot 43-25. The series continues Saturday night with Game 2 in Boise.
The Steelheads struck first with Kevin Young in the penalty box for Colorado, serving a delay of game penalty. Idaho's power play unit controlled the puck in the offensive zone with Mitch Wahl feeding the puck down the left-wing side to William Rapuzzi at the goal line. Rapuzzi spotted deKastrozza cutting back door and delivered a perfect pass at 4:02 of the period for a quick goal to put Idaho on top, 1-0. Colorado would pressure for the equalizer, but Robinson turned aside all 16 shots sent his way in the opening 20 minutes.
The score held through the second period, too, in part to a brilliant Robinson save on one of the ECHL's leading scorers, Kyle Ostrow, at point blank range. Greg Gardner battled a puck free to the front of the net for Ostrow, who appeared to have the entire net to shoot at. But Robinson dove back in front of the net and somehow deflected the puck wide with his blocker arm to keep Idaho on top after two, 1-0.
Colorado would even the score early in the third when Kyle Kraemer poked home a loose puck from the left edge of the crease at 3:22, making it 1-1, which triggered a back-and-forth, end-to-end display that featured scoring chances from both sides. The two teams combined to put 28 pucks on net in the final frame and the contest appeared headed to overtime before Scott Czarnowzan's pass from the top of the left-wing circle found deKastrozza alone near the hash marks for a wrist shot over Butler's glove with less than three minutes to play to give Idaho a 2-1 lead.
The Eagles pulled Butler from the net in favor of an extra attacker with well over a minute left, but the Steelheads clamped down and kept Colorado at bay to secure the 2-1 victory.
Robinson's 42 saves were the most he's made in a game since Game 2 of Idaho's first-round playoff series last season - also against Colorado - when he made 45 saves in an overtime loss to the Eagles. Butler took the loss for the Eagles, stopping 23 of 25.
Idaho went 1-1 on the power play and a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill in the win.
The two teams continue their playoff series Saturday night with Game 2 at CenturyLink Arena. Tickets are on sale at the CenturyLink Arena box office or by calling 331-8497.
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ECHL Stories from April 18, 2014
- Robinson Stops 42 to Open Playoffs with a Win - Idaho Steelheads
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- Orlando's Lang Receives 2013-14 ECHL Most Valuable Player Award - ECHL
- Sam Klassen Returns to Road Warriors for Game One - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Thunder Add Quine to Playoff Roster - Stockton Thunder
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- ECHL Today - April 18 - ECHL
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