ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Condors Score Late To Down Steelheads, 3-2

February 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - Condors' forward Mike Hofstrand scored an even-strength goal with just 4:56 left in regulation to lift the visitors to a 3-2 win over the Steelheads in front of 5,182 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.

On a rush into the Steelheads' zone, Hofstrand took a feed from center Brian Collins and slipped the puck past Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (26 saves) to give the Condors their first lead of the game. The win allowed the Condors (20-18-5) to take four of a possible six points from the Steelheads (26-16-6) in the three-game series. Two more meetings between the clubs still remain with both of them coming next week in Bakersfield.

Steelheads' captain D'Arcy McConvey opened the game's scoring with a shorthanded goal at the 3:53 mark of the first period. McConvey raced into the Condors zone and deked into the slot where he wristed a shot past goaltender Ryan Munce (31 saves) for his 21st goal of the campaign. The ECHL's leading scorer, Garett Bembridge, drew the lone assist.

The Condors answered at 6:16 of the frame as Sean Venedam picked up his fifth goal against the Steelheads this season. His 23rd goal overall was an even-strength marker, which was assisted by Kevin St. Jacques and Dave Bonk.

Then later in the frame, Dan Hacker netted his third goal in the last two games, giving the Steelheads their lead again at 2-1. Bembridge and veteran defenseman Roy Mitchell got the assists. For Mitchell, it was his first ECHL point and his first professional helper since the 2000-2001 season (Steelheads - WCHL), the last year before this weekend that he played professionally.

After 20 minutes of play the shots were 16-12 in favor of the Steelheads.

Venedam tied the game on a two-on-one break midway through the second period. Silverthorn got a piece of Venedam's offering but it deflected off his equipment and into the top of the net. St. Jacques and defenseman Reagan Leslie got the assists.

Hofstrand's second game-winner of the season was the only marker in the third period. The Steelheads out-shot the Condors 33-29, while going zero-for-11 on the man advantage. The 11 power play chances ties a season-high. The Condors went one-for-eight. The loss drops Silverthorn to 12-11-3, while Munce improves to 18-11-4.

The Steelheads now head to a six-game road trip, rounding out the month of February. Up first is a trip to the Fresno Falcons on Tuesday, February 14. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 AM, "The Ticket," beginning approximately 20 minutes before the drop of the puck.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 11, 2006


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