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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Desrosiers, Steelheads Shut out Rush

February 25, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Idaho Steelheads vs. the Rapid City Rush
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Rapid City Rush
(Idaho Steelheads)

Rapid City, SD (2/24/18) - Philippe Desrosiers made 21 saves on Saturday night for his second shutout of the season, and second in his last five starts, as the Idaho Steelheads (32-18-6) blanked the Rapid City Rush (19-32-3) for a 3-0 win at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

It was Desrosiers' fifth professional shutout, and his third career shutout in Rapid City. The Steelheads close out their regular-season schedule with seven wins in nine visits to Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Will Merchant got the Steelheads on the board first with a power play goal at 8:12 of the second period, six seconds after Riley Weselowski had been sent off for slashing. Off the face-off win by Jefferson Dahl, Joe Faust fired a shot from the right point that was fought off by goaltender Christian Frey. The rebound popped in the air off of Frey, and Merchant whacked it in out of mid-air for his 14th goal of the season.

Faust picked up the assist in his 200th professional game.

Max French doubled the lead at 14:37 of the second period after Jefferson Dahl intercepted a Rush breakout pass in the neutral zone. Dahl brought the puck back in and fired a shot from the top of the left circle that again was fought off by Frey. With French driving the net, the rebound bounced off his midsection and over the goal line for his eighth of the season and a 2-0 Idaho lead.

French is in the midst of a four-game goal-scoring streak, with six goals over that span.

Steve McParland sealed the win for the Steelheads at 18:18 of the third period, sliding a shorthanded goal into an empty net for his 25th goal of the season. It was also McParland's third shorthanded goal of the season, and Idaho's ninth.

Desrosiers has appeared in eight consecutive games for the Steelheads, one a relief appearance. Over that run, Desrosiers has a record of 5-2-0 with two shutouts, a 1.85 goals-against average, and a .932 save percentage.

With the victory, the Steelheads moved within six points of Colorado for the top spot in the Mountain Division.

The Steelheads head to Kansas for a pair of games with the Wichita Thunder next week, beginning Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena. Puck-drop is scheduled for 6:05pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK and on ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS: Goals: Merchant (14), French (8), McParland (25) Philippe Desrosiers: 21 saves on 21 shots Power Play: 1-for-3 Penalty Kill: 6-for-6

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Dylan Labbe RCR

2. Josh Elmes RCR

3. Dante Salituro RCR

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME Will Merchant: Game-winning goal, 3 shots

PLAY OF THE GAME: Max French's insurance goal in the second period came off a strong read in the neutral zone by Jefferson Dahl and his own drive to the net. Dahl picked off Alex Kromm's breakout pass right after stepping off the Idaho bench and stormed back in, with the Rush defense trapped deep. Dahl's shot was palmed away by Frey, but it traveled into the oncoming French who carried it into the net for his sixth goal in ten periods.

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Idaho Steelheads vs. the Rapid City Rush
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Rapid City Rush
   



ECHL Stories from February 25, 2018


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