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Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Storm Back in Third for 4-3 Win

November 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID (11/19/14) - Idaho notched three, third-period goals and Henri Kiviaho came up with a pair of big saves in the final minutes as the Steelheads rallied to defeat the Ontario Reign, 4-3, in front of 3,109 fans at CenturyLink Arena in Boise.

The win was the fourth in a row for Idaho (11-3-1, 23 points) with the two teams set to square off again Thursday night in Boise.

Idaho scored first on a fortunate hop off the back of Ontario's net. Charlie Dodero's point shot banged off the end boards and then awkwardly off the back of the net. As Ontario's Jussi Olkinoura looked over his right shoulder, the puck bounds to the left for Steve Quailer to jab home at the 7:16 mark of the first period. Dodero and Alex Belzile picked up assists on Quailer's third of the season. The Steelheads went on to out-shoot Ontario, 17-3, in the first period but the Reign would tie the game when Everett Sheen opportunistically blasted home a shot off a Colin Shea shot-block with just over two minutes left in the first period, tying the game at one.

Ontario took the lead with two quick goals in the second. Judd Blackwater scored off a goal-mouth scramble at the 1:50 mark of the second frame and Tristan King's wrist shot from the right-wing circle appeared to re-direct off the stick of an Idaho defenseman over Kiviaho's shoulder at 6:27 to put Ontario on top, 3-1, after two.

The Steelheads went to work in the third, using another fortunate bounce to jump-start a big rally. At the 5:27 mark, Jason Bast notched his team-leading (also tied for ECHL-best) 11th goal of the season when Quailer's pass from behind the net bounced off a skate directly to Bast at the top of the crease. Bast was able to knock the puck home before Olkinoura could respond to cut Ontario's lead to 3-2. Idaho tied the game at 9:18 when Belzile chased down a loose puck at the bottom of the crease, somehow batting the puck over Olkinoura's shoulder, for his sixth goal of the season to tie the game, 3-3. Then, at 15:52, Dodero took a drop pass from Wade MacLeod and charged the net, sneaking the puck between Olkinoura and the near post for his first goal of the season to put Idaho on top, 4-3.

The Reign would mount a late charge but twice Kiviaho was able to find and secure loose pucks during goal-mouth scrambles as Idaho held on for its fourth consecutive victory.

Quailer (one goal, two assists) and Dodero (one goal, two assists) each had three-point nights in the victory. Bast finished the evening with a plus-4 rating and Belzile has now scored in three consecutive games for Idaho.

Kiviaho improved his personal record to 3-1-1 with 24 saves on 27 shots. Olkinoura took the loss, surrendering four goals on 34 shots. Idaho's penalty-kill was a perfect 2-for-2 and has now killed off 17 straight man-advantages for its opponent. Ontario's penalty-kill was also 2-for-2.

Following Thursday's game, Idaho and Ontario meet again Saturday night on Military Appreciation Night. Puck drop each night is at 7:10 PM. Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Charlie Dodero (G, 2A)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:

1) Steve Quailer (ID)

2) Alex Belzile (ID)

3) Charlie Dodero (ID)

Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

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