ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Flichel and Galbraith Have Career Night's As Steelheads Hammer Grizzlies 7-0

February 24, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Marty Flichel racked up a hat trick and three assists, Lance Galbraith (1g, 5a) registered six points and Derek Nesbitt (1g, 4a) contributed five points in a 7-0 pounding of the Utah Grizzlies in front of 4,715 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night to help extend the Steelheads' unbeaten streak to a season-high, seven games.

Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (30 saves) pitched his fifth shutout of the campaign in the victory, which boots the Steelheads (30-18-2-2) to a season-best, 12 games over .500. It was also the seventh win in eight games against the Grizzlies (19-30-2-3) this season, with tonight's tilt concluding the season series.

Just 2:51 into the first period, winger Colin Shields converted on a Steelheads' power play to make the score 1-0. On the play, Shields was the recipient of a tick-tack-toe passing play, slamming the puck into a wide open net, as Flichel and Galbraith set up the goal.

At 8:31, Flichel got his first of the evening with Nesbitt and Galbraith grabbing the helpers. Then with only 11 seconds left in the opening frame, Galbraith sent a pass from behind the Grizzlies' net to Flichel, who found himself open in the slot and the veteran fired a shot past Grizzlies' Rob McVicar (30 saves) for a 3-0 lead at the first intermission.

Galbraith gave the Steelheads a commanding 4-0 lead at the 8:26 mark of the second stanza, picking up the team's second power play goal of the night. Shields, who missed a chance from point blank range seconds before Galbraith's tally, re-gathered the puck behind the net and hit Galbraith at the side of the crease for a redirection behind McVicar. Nesbitt snagged the other assist.

With just under five minutes left in the frame Nesbitt potted his 21st of the campaign, with Flichel and defenseman Darrell Hay collecting the helpers. After some quality puck movement on the man advantage, Flichel sent a pass to Nesbitt at the top of the right circles and he moved into the slot before ripping a wrist shot just inside the left post.

Through two periods the Steelheads were out-shooting the Grizzlies 26-15 and they led 5-0.

In the third period, Shields picked up his second of the contest at 6:20 on a pass that Galbraith sent to the far post, which the Glasgow, Scotland native retrieved and deposited just under the crossbar. Flichel also earned a point on the play, his fifth of the night.

With 11 seconds left in regulation, Flichel completed the hat trick and rounded out the game's scoring. Again it was Galbraith and Nesbitt drawing the assists on Flichel's shot from the high slot. The even-strength tally marked the Steelheads' second hat trick of the year and their first on home ice.

The four, power play goals by the Steelheads equals a season high, a feat they've now accomplished four times. The Grizzlies went zero-for-three on the man advantage. For the match, the Steelheads out-shot the Grizzlies 37-30, as Silverthorn picked up his league-leading 26th win.

The Steelheads now embark on a four-game road trip beginning on Tuesday, February 27 against the Las Vegas Wranglers. The puck drops at 8:05 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from February 24, 2007


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