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Idaho Steelheads

Olkinuora, Reign Hold off Steelheads, 2-1

November 23, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Jussi Olkinuora stopped 35 of 36 shots and a last-gasp attempt in the final second of regulation hopped over the stick of the Idaho Steelheads as the Ontario Reign edged Idaho, 2-1, Saturday night in front of 4,956 fans at CenturyLink Arena in Boise.

The loss dropped Idaho's record to 11-5-1 (23 points). The Steelheads are on the road at Alaska next Friday and Saturday night. Game time each night is 9:15 PM (Mtn) and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley.

Idaho came out firing early, putting all kinds of pressure on the Ontario net but Olkinuora came up with a series of big saves to keep the home team off the scoreboard despite three power-play opportunities. Ontario finally got its opportunity on the man-advantage early in the second period and converted as Geoff Walker punched a rebound past Olivier Roy at the 3:58 mark to put the Reign up, 1-0. Late in the second, on its second power play of the period, Ontario connected again on a Raifs Friebergs point shot through traffic at 17:42 to make it 2-0.

The Steelheads answered late in the second when Steve Quailer forced a turnover behind the Ontario net. In the ensuing puck battle, Alex Belzile found the puck in the left wing corner and fired a pass to Jason Bast just above the hash marks in the slot. Bast fired a bullet over Olkinuora's glove hand with just 34 seconds remaining in the second period, his ECHL-best 12th goal of the season, to cut Ontario's lead to 2-1.

Idaho nearly tied it early in the third on the power play, but Olkinuora was able to slam the door shot on a Belzile rebound attempt and then, later in the third, the Ontario netminder recovered from behind the net just in time to rob Colton Beck on the doorstep as Ontario tried to hang on to its one-goal advantage.

Late in the third, with its goaltender pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Idaho mounted one final flurry. Inside the final five seconds, Charlie Dodero made a tremendous save at the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone and fired it toward the net through traffic. Olkinuora slid to his left, but the puck bounced to his right, leaving the net virtually empty. However, the bouncing puck hopped the stick of Jordan Sims with one second left and the Reign survived with the one-goal victory.

Olkinuora stopped 35 of 36 Idaho shots as Idaho has now out-shot its opponent in 14 of 17 games this season. Olivier Roy took the loss, stopping 20 of 22 Ontario shots. Special teams were a major factor in the game as Ontario's only offense came on the power play, going 2-3, while Idaho was 0-4 with the man advantage.

Idaho reteurns home on Wednesday, December 3, to host the Bakersfield Condors on Dollar Beer Night, presented by Bud Light. The Steelheads and Condors battle again on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, as the Steelheads will wear special jerseys to be auctioned off to raise money for St. Luke's Children's hospital. Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 331-8497.

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