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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Condors Edge Steelheads, 4-3

December 22, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID (12/22/13) - Joel Broda turned a defensive-zone turnover into a goal less than 30 seconds into third period and the Bakersfield Condors weathered a storm of Idaho Steelheads chances down the stretch as the Condors edged Idaho, 4-3, in front of 3,697 fans at CenturyLink Arena on Sunday.

The loss dropped Idaho to 14-9-4 (32 points) overall.

The game started poorly for the Steelheads as the visiting Condors netted three goals in the game's first nine minutes. First, it was Gary Steffes from the right-wing circle two minutes into the game. Then, former Steelhead Michael Neal tallied from the bottom of the left-wing circle at 6:50 to give the Condors a quick, 2-0 lead. Thirty seconds later, Idaho was whistled for a penalty and then, 50 seconds later, another to give the Condors a two-man advantage on the power play. Just seconds after the first penalty expired, Matt Thurber scored on a 5-on-4 power play to give the Condors a 3-0 lead at the 9:20 mark of the first period.

From that point, the ice tilted back to the Steelheads. Idaho generated multiple chances late in the first but couldn't score but didn't wait long in the second period to get things going as a Patrick Cullity shot from the left wing was tipped home by Austin Fyten at the 32-second mark of the second period, making it a 3-1 game. Four minutes later, Idaho trimmed the lead further as Anthony Nigro put home a rebound of a Fyten shot at 4:49 of the second, making it 3-2. The goal was Nigro's team-leading 15th of the season.

Late in the period, Bakersfield was called for roughing to put Idaho on the power play and the Steelheads struck almost immediately as Mitch Wahl and Brock Montgomery teamed up to feed the puck to Tommy Grant, cutting to the net from the right-wing wall, for a one-timer past Tyler Bunz at 14:38 of the second to tie the game at 3-3.

Bakersfield took the lead back early in the third when the puck bounced away from Nigro in his own slot to Broda, whose quick shot beat Josh Robinson between the legs just 27 seconds into the final frame to put the Condors back on top, 4-3. Idaho nearly tied the game numerous times, including a Justin Mercier redirection that just floated wide and a Fyten shot from the right-wing circle that was tipped away by Bunz. The Steelheads pulled Robinson from the net in favor of an extra attacker in the final minute of regulation and got three tremendous looks at the net but couldn't squeeze the puck past Bunz for the equalizer.

Bunz got the win in net for Bakersfield, stopping 26 of 29 Idaho shots. Robinson took the loss with 26 saves on 30 shots. Idaho's power play was 1-3 and Bakersfield's was 1-6.

NOTE: Just prior to gametime, the Steelheads announced that forward Anthony Nigro had returned to the team after a two-game callup to the AHL's Texas Stars. The 23-year-old forward did not score in his two appearances with Texas.

Idaho returns to action after the Christmas holiday when the team travels to Las Vegas to face the Wranglers on Friday, December 27.

The team's next home game is Wednesday, January 15, when the Steelheads host the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208-331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Austin Fyten (G/A)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Joel Broda (BAK) 2) Austin Fyten (ID) 3) Tommy Grant (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 Tim's Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

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