ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Grizzlies Rally in Third to Beat Steelheads

February 14, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Ryan Hayes and TJ Syner scored back-to-back short-handed goals just over three minute apart in the third period, changing the complexion of the game as the visiting Utah Grizzlies rallied to defeat the Idaho Steelheads, 3-2, in front of a sellout crowd of 5,194 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise Friday night.

Idaho (28-15-4, 60 points) had a 2-0 lead entering the final frame, making it the team's first loss in regulation when leading after two periods this season.

Things started well for the home team. After killing off an early Utah power play, Idaho was energized by a Mike Dalhuisen fight with Danick Paquette and turned it into a two goal lead with a pair of power-play strikes. At 9:44 of the first, Wade MacLeod took a pass from Alex Belzile and made a nice spin move to get away from a Utah defender before rifling a shot from the right-wing circle past Igor Bobkov's blocker to give Idaho a 1-0 lead. Then, as the period wound down, Utah took consecutive penalties to give Idaho a full, two-minute 5-on-3 power play. The Steelheads cashed in at 17:43 when Belzile and James Livingston teamed up to guide the puck across the top of the crease to the right-wing post for MacLeod to lift home over an outstretched Bobkov, making it 2-0. The goals were MacLeod's 19th and 20th of the season.

The second period was a muddy affair that was marred by whistles. Neither team scored, thanks in large part to Idaho goaltender Jack Campbell who stopped 12 Utah shots, including six in a prolonged 5-on-3 power play opportunity for the Grizzlies. The best was a blocker save on Hayes from the bottom of the left-wing circle as the Steelheads held that same 2-0 lead into the final frame.

Things appeared to be going well in the third as well as Idaho went on the power play in the early stages. Belzile and Hayes battled for a loose puck in the neutral zone. As Belzile appeared primed to take the puck, Hayes grabbed him and used his momentum to catapult past Belzile for a short-handed breakaway. Campbell couldn't get the leg pad on it as Hayes scored short-handed at 5:23 to make it a 2-1 game.

Leading by one, the Steelheads had another two-man advantage with Syner and Michael Pelech in the box for Utah. Idaho tried to enter the zone at the left point as the two-man advantage wound down and the puck came free to Utah's Mathieu Aubin, who spotted Syner streaking out of the box for another short-handed breakaway, which just snuck under Campbell's arm at 8:34 to tie the score. Utah then took the lead when Patrick Wellar followed the rush up ice, pounced on a loose puck and scored his first goal of the season at 15:40 to give Utah a 3-2 lead.

Idaho put 17 pucks on net in the third period but Bobkov came up with an answer to each one, allowing Utah to get the win.

Bobkov was strong in net for the Grizzlies in the win, turning aside 31 of 33 Idaho shots. Campbell made 24 saves on 27 shots in his first game with the Steelheads.

Idaho's penalty-kill was a perfect 6-for-6 and the power play went 2-for-8, but allowed the two, game-changing short-handed goals in the third period.

The same two teams will battle on Valentine's Day on Mini-Stick Giveaway Night at CenturyLink Arena There will also be a full-team, on-ice autograph session after the game, courtesy of Project Filter. Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling 208-331-8497.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 14, 2015


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