ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Falcons Score Late to Shock Steelheads, 4-3

January 22, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - Fresno Falcons goaltender Jamie Holden turned aside 54 shots and forward Shawn Mather popped home the game-winning goal with 2:53 left in regulation, as the Falcons shocked the Steelheads, 4-3.

Mather got to a loose puck in the slot and fired a backhander over the shoulder of Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (17 saves) at 17:07 of the third period. Forward Derek Krestanovich assisted on Mather's eighth point of the season series. Mather's 15th tally of the season was the only even-strength goal for either side and the only goal of the third stanza.

Fresno's win allowed them to take four out of a possible six points in the three-game series. However, the Steelheads still hold a 3-2-0 mark this year against the Pacific Division's top squad.

The home team opened the scoring with a power play goal just 2:08 into the first period. David Bararuk recorded his fifth point of the series, netting his 16th of the season. Tyler Kindle drew his first assist in a Steelheads sweater, while Mike Gabinet also picked up an assist. The Falcons then tied the game with their first power play goal of the evening, as Fraser Clair had the puck hit off his skate and find its way past Silverthorn. Luke Curtin and J.F. Plourde were credited with the helpers.

Clair's second power play goal of the game gave the Falcons their first lead at 13:09 of the first period. Again, Plourde and Curtin set up the goal. With 3:17 left in the stanza, Steelheads' defenseman Jarad Bourassa wristed a shot past Jamie Holden to deadlock the score at two. Fellow defenseman Blake Forsyth found Bourassa alone just inside the blue line, and he buried the chance for his second goal in as many nights.

At the first intermission, the game was tied at two, with the Steelheads out-shooting the Falcons 28-7. The 28 shots were the most in a period for the Steelheads this season.

Both teams traded goals in the second period, and both again were special teams goals. Clair completed the hat trick at 3:06 of the period, with Plourde again grabbing the assist. Bararuk's second of the contest evened the game at three, when he tipped a pass from the crease past Holden for his 17th of the season and his 26th point on home ice. Marty Flichel and Gabinet got the assists on the marker at 16:35.

The Steelheads out-shot the Falcons 57-21 for the game, shattering their previous high of 44 shots in a match. It's also the most shots they've registered in their ECHL history. In back-to-back nights the Falcons were held to just 21 shots, yet they managed nine combined goals, both of which resulted in victories.

The Steelheads had a season-high 12 power play opportunities and they converted on three of them. The Falcons netted three on the man advantage in eight tries, the sixth time this season the Steelheads have allowed three power play goals in one game.

A crowd of 3,252 witnessed the Sunday afternoon tilt from Qwest Arena.

The Las Vegas Wranglers visit Qwest Arena, beginning a three-game series on Friday, January 27. Faceoff is at 7:10 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket" beginning approximately 20 minutes prior to the drop of the puck.

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ECHL Stories from January 22, 2006


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