Sports stats

ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Idaho Battles for Point, But Grizzlies Take Shootout

February 27, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Idaho Steelheads Defense Sets up vs. the Utah Grizzlies
Idaho Steelheads Defense Sets up vs. the Utah Grizzlies
(Idaho Steelheads)

Boise, ID - Jefferson Dahl's power play goal in the final minute of regulation earned the Steelheads (29-20-7) an overtime point in the standings, but Charles Sarault's goal in the fourth round of the shootout was the game-winner as the Utah Grizzlies (30-20-4) took Friday night's contest at CenturyLink Arena, 4-3.

Dahl and Shawn Boutin both scored for Idaho in the shootout, but Utah got three goals from Sarault, Erik Higby, and Barry Almeida to earn the extra point.

The Steelheads twice fought back from one-goal deficits in the third period to force overtime, after entering the third period trailing 2-1 and then seeing an equalizer by Joe Basaraba immediately negated by Ryan Walters' 19th goal of the season.

Basaraba tied the score at 2-2 at 14:12 of the third period with a power play marker off an alert feed from Boutin. At the right point, Boutin looked up and saw Basaraba stationed between the circles. Boutin slid the puck down to Basaraba, who spun a backhander past Utah goaltender Mark Owuya for his fifth goal of the season. Basaraba was far from done.

Walters gave Utah the lead back just 51 seconds later when he slammed a rebound past Idaho's Philippe Desrosiers, making his first start for Idaho since late December after he was reassigned by AHL Texas on Thursday. The Steelheads were behind, but would get another chance late thanks to a slashing penalty to Alex Krushelnyski with 2:24 remaining.

While the Steelheads were on the power play and with time winding down, Utah's TJ Syner played keep-away with the puck behind the Idaho net. From the neutral zone, Basaraba made a direct path all the way back to his own goal line and laid a booming hit on Syner. Basaraba picked the puck up and carried it all the way back into the offensive zone and fed Andre Morrissette, while Desrosiers headed for the bench. Morrissette found Dahl between the circles to tie the game.

Andre Morrissette had a goal as well, scoring on a 2-on-1 at 6:30 of the second period, his 11th of the year to tie the game at 1-1. Utah would retake the lead 4:30 later when a puck behind the Idaho net eluded Desrosiers and bounced in front of the cage, leading to a tap-in goal for Almeida's 19th of the season.

Morrissette now has five goals and ten points in his last ten games, while Basaraba has three goals and nine points during a four-game points streak. Alex Krushelnyki opened the scoring for Utah in the first period with his first goal in 11 games, his 20th of the season.

The Steelheads' two power play goals helped them force overtime, and almost helped them end overtime. Idaho earned a two minute power play when Josh Macdonald was called for tripping just 44 seconds into overtime, but the Steelheads could not convert. Owuya made 34 saves in net for Utah, including two in overtime. Desrosiers made 30 saves for the Steelheads.

With the shootout loss the Steelheads move to 8-2-1 this season against the Grizzlies. Idaho maintains a one point lead in the West, with the Grizzlies holding two games in hand. Idaho fell to third in the Western Conference, overtaken by the Fort Wayne Komets.

The Steelheads and Grizzles finish their two-game set Saturday night at CenturyLink Arena. It is Steelheads Mouse Pad Giveaway Night, sponsored by Higgins and Rutledge Insurance. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK, CableOne, and ECHLTV.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics




Images from this story

Idaho Steelheads Defense Sets up vs. the Utah Grizzlies
Idaho Steelheads Defense Sets up vs. the Utah Grizzlies
   



ECHL Stories from February 27, 2016


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.

Other Recent Idaho Steelheads Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central