ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Gulls Grind Out 5-1 Win over Steelheads

December 31, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - Rookie forward Jesse Bennefield scored twice, including the game-winner, as the Gulls downed the Steelheads for the second straight night, winning 5-1, in front of 4,638 fans at Qwest Arena on New Year's Eve.

With the win, the Gulls (13-11-4) took two of the three games in the series on the Steelheads' (19-9-2) home ice. The loss dropped the Steelheads to 6-3-0 in non-division play and 9-6-1 in their own barn. The defeat coupled with the Utah Grizzlies (40 pts.) victory over Las Vegas puts the Steelheads (40 pts.) in a tie for third place in the West Division, although the Steelheads have one game in hand.

Gulls' forward Steve Hildenbrand scored with the Steelheads on the power play to open the scoring. Alex Kim recorded the only assist on the visitors second shorthanded goal of the series. Hildenbrand's marker at 9:26 gave the visitors their third straight 1-0 lead in the three-game series. It was his 13th of the year.

The Gulls took a 2-0 lead minutes later on an even-strength goal at 11:44. Jesse Bennefield was credited with the goal, which he swatted out of mid air from the Steelheads' crease, past goaltender Steve Silverthorn (25 saves). Earlier in the day, Bennefield was selected as the lone Gulls' player to the National Conference All-Star team.

In the second period, Garett Bembridge got the Steelheads within one, with his ECHL-leading 25th marker of the season. Bembridge jammed home a rebound off a David Bararuk shot, making the score 2-1. Winger Mike Stutzel also drew a helper to pick up his 14th assist of the month (13 games). The even-strength tally came at 7:47.

The Stelheads out-shot the Gulls, 21-8 in the second period, yet still trailed by a goal.

After a scoreless 14-plus minutes to open the third period, the Gulls worked their shorthanded magic again. Kim got his second shorthanded goal of the series and 11th of the season, to give the Gulls some breathing room. Alex Rogosheske drew the only assist as he sent the pass to Kim on a two-on-one break.

Bennefield's second of the night with 3:25 left put the game out of reach. With Silverthorn at the bench, Bennefield fired from the red line and into the empty net to make it 4-1.

Then, with Silverthorn back manning the pipes, Pierre-Luc Sleigher rounded out the scoring on an unassisted breakaway goal. The goal, his ninth of the year and second of the series, came just 80 seconds after it became a 4-1 game.

Tyler Weiman was terrific between the pipes for the visitors; making 36 saves for his sixth win of the year. Silverthorn suffered his second straight loss and his fifth of the season.

The Steelheads close out 2005 having dropped two straight and three of four. Their next match is January 6 against the Gulls in San Diego.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central