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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Basaraba, Boutin Push Idaho over Aces

March 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Idaho Steelheads Skate vs. the Alaska Aces
Idaho Steelheads Skate vs. the Alaska Aces
(Idaho Steelheads)

Boise, ID - Joe Basaraba's power play goal late in the third period was the game-winner, set up as part of Shawn Boutin's two-point night, as the Idaho Steelheads (32-20-7) outlasted the Alaska Aces (20-30-7), 5-3 in front of 4,284 fans at CenturyLink Arena.

On the first night of the Steelheads' "Pink in the Rink" jersey auction, Basaraba drove to the front of the net to redirect a Boutin pass from the right point past Alaska's Troy Redmann and give the Steelheads a 4-3 lead with 4:14 left in regulation. The goal was Basaraba's second tally in two games, fifth in the last seven, and seventh of the season.

Branden Komm made 21 saves on the night, including several challenging stops right after the Basaraba go-ahead goal. Andre Morrissette would cement the win for the Steelheads with an empty-netter with 1:14 to go to seal the win. Morrissette now has six goals in the last 13 games.

Komm has won four consecutive starts for Idaho.

The Steelheads got on the board first as the line of Damian Cross, Jake Fallon, and Andrew Carroll continues to produce. That line netted a goal for the fourth time in five games when Fallon and Carroll attacked on a 2-on-1 rush 8:26 into the first period. Fallon slid a pass across to the right wing for Carroll's one-timer and ninth goal of the year.

The Aces would strike twice, once in the final minute of the first period and once in the opening minute of the second period, to gain a 2-1 lead. Anthony Deluca's wrist shot from the high slot sent the teams to the locker room tied and Stephen Perfetto's one-timer at the right side of the Steelheads' net off of an Idaho turnover gave the Aces their only lead of the game.

The Steelheads answered back with two goals by defensemen just 50 seconds apart. After Basaraba drove to the Alaska goal carrying Aces' defenseman Garrett Haar on his back, Boutin hammered the loose puck from the right point through the traffic for his third of the season and a 2-2 tie at 10:04 of the second.

On the following shift, Zach Bell duplicated Boutin's effort. After getting the crowd going with two fights in Wednesday night's game, Bell gave them reason to cheer again Friday. He gave the Steelheads' a 3-2 lead with a blast from the right point, his third of the season and first as a Steelhead.

Patrick Wellar tied the game 3-3 at 3:09 of the third period on a delayed penalty to the Steelheads. The Steelheads would respond later in the third period, when Justin Breton's high-sticking penalty would give Idaho a 4-on-3 power play. Basaraba's game-winner came just as that 4-on3 became a 5-on-4 advantage.

The win extended the Steelheads' points streak to seven games (5-0-2), one game shy of their longest points streak of the season. Idaho also remained five points ahead of Utah in the West Division, and they extended their lead over Fort Wayne for second place in the Western Conference to four points.

The Steelheads will seek their second three-game series sweep of the season on Saturday night against the Aces. It will be the final night of the "Pink in the Rink" Jersey Auction, sponsored by St. Luke's, with all proceeds donated to St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute to fund cancer research.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK, CableOne, and ECHLTV.

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Idaho Steelheads Skate vs. the Alaska Aces
Idaho Steelheads Skate vs. the Alaska Aces
   

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