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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Galbraith's Overtime Tally Lifts Steelheads To 3-2 Win Over Thunder In Game Five

April 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Stockton, CA - Steelheads' winger Lance Galbraith ripped a shot into the top shelf for his second goal of the evening at 6:54 of sudden death overtime to power the Steelheads to a crucial 3-2 win over the Stockton Thunder in Game Five of the National Conference Quarter Finals best-of-seven series in front of 4,776 fans at Stockton Arena on Monday night.

Streaking into the offensive zone from the left wing side, Galbraith tracked down a loose puck and buried a snap shot over the glove of Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk (32 saves). Defenseman Lars Helminen got the only assist, as he chipped the puck off the boards and through center ice. The Steelheads (3-2) have now forced the Thunder (2-3) to the brink of elimination, leading this series three games-to-two, with Game 6 and Game 7 back home later this week.

Less than two minutes after the puck dropped to open the contest, the Steelheads took a 1-0 lead on Derek Nesbitt's even-strength marker, his third of the series. After Marty Flichel sent a shot from the high slot over the crossbar, Flichel got to his own carom and sent the puck from below the goal line and towards the crease where Nesbitt batted it home. The goal, the only one of the period, marked just the second time the Steelheads have grabbed the game's first goal in this series. Helminen picked up the second assist.

In the second period the Steelheads took a 2-0 lead on a power play marker by Galbraith, his second of the series. From the middle of the ice, Helminen's fired a point shot that bounced off of Galbraith's back and past a stunned Dubnyk. Flichel drew the second helper.

Late in the stanza the Thunder rallied for two goals in less than four minutes to even the score. After sustained pressure in the Steelheads' zone, Thunder defenseman Mark Adamek took a shot from the blue line that Tim Sestito redirected past Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (44 saves) for his third goal of the series. The second assist went to Liam Reddox on the even-strength marker.

Then with 31 seconds to go in the frame, Colin Pepperall converted from the crease off a feed by Mike Lalonde to tie the match. Mathieu Melanson also got an assist, on the play that started off a Steelheads' turnover from behind their net.

Through 40 minutes the shots were 28-22 in favor of the Thunder.

After a scoreless third period with the Steelheads getting eight shots and the Thunder 12, the game headed to a sudden death overtime. The final shots favored the Thunder 44 to 35. Silverthorn's 44 saves are a playoff career-high. The Steelheads finished the night one-for-five on the power play, while the Thunder went zero-for-nine and they are now scoreless in their last 32 opportunities.

Game Six of this best-of-seven series is back in Boise at Qwest Arena on Wednesday, April 18. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MDT. The Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show will precede the opening face-off from 6-7 p.m. MDT on 1350 AM, KTIK, "The Ticket". Don't forget, tickets for Game 6 of this series (Wednesday, April 18) at Qwest Arena are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office. Plus, first round playoff voucher packs are on sale now, offering great savings to those fans that buy early. Call 383-0080 for more information.

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