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Idaho Steelheads

Big-Time Boss for Idaho

January 29, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Duluth, GA - Joe Basaraba tallied a goal and an assist, while Rob Linsmayer's second period buzzer-beater held up as the game-winning goal at Infinite Energy Arena on Friday night. The Idaho Steelheads (21-18-5) earned their fourth win in five games with a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Gladiators (25-16-2).

With time winding down in the middle frame and the Steelheads already leading 1-0, defenseman Shawn Boutin tried twice to get the puck through to the Gladiator net from the right point. Boutin's first attempt was blocked right back to him, but his second attempt was blocked in the slot with the puck bouncing right to Linsmayer. Linsmayer quickly flung the puck on goal, beating Gladiators goaltender Matt Ginn to the blocker side for his 12th goal of the season with no time left on the clock.

Referee Andy Howard called it a goal, and after conferring with his linesmen, the call was upheld to send the Steelheads to the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

The Steelheads earned a 1-0 lead at 10:01 of the second period on a play that was also protested by the Gladiator bench. Andre Morrissette and Gladiators defenseman Tyler Shiplo both raced for a puck at the Steelheads offensive blue line, with Shiplo skating backwards. Morrissette reached the puck first and in the process collided with Shiplo, who fell to the ice. That sent Morrissette in on a 2-on-1 for a pass across to a wide-open Joe Basaraba, who buried his second goal of the season and second in three games.

Basaraba now has four points in four games since returning to the lineup from injured reserve.

Zack Kamrass, an Atlanta native, played his first professional game in his home town in front of a large contingency of family and friends. He did not disappoint, putting forth a tremendous defensive effort and one play in particular that led directly to Idaho's third goal.

Atlanta's JT Barnett carried the puck down the right wing boards and into the Idaho zone when Kamrass drove him to the wall with a text book hip-check, knocking him to the ice. With Atlanta changing, Jefferson Dahl's quick transition pass through the neutral zone found Branden Troock. Troock whistled a wrist shot from the right wing that beat Ginn to the glove side for his second of the season at 2:44 of the third..

Idaho padded their lead to 4-0 at 5:16 of the third, with Basaraba again making an impact. Kyle Jean was pressed to the boards in the Atlanta zone by former Steelhead Cole Martin but managed to poke the puck free to Basaraba. Basaraba slid a pass to the top of the left circle, and Tommy Fallen snapped home his third of the year.

Jack Campbell made 30 saves to push his record to 8-3-0, carrying a shutout until the 15:47 mark of the third period when Ian Barteaux's second goal of the year got Atlanta on the board.

The Steelheads and Gladiators will meet for the second game of this series on Saturday night at Infinite Energy Arena, with puck-drop scheduled for 5:05pm MT. The game is available on 1350AM KTIK and ECHLTV.

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