ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Idaho Loses One-Goal Heartbreaker

March 28, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


(Boise, ID) - For the 37th time in 70 games, the Idaho Steelheads were involved in a one-goal decision. Unfortunately, the Stockton Thunder were the team that were plus-1 on the scoreboard when the game ended as the visitors upended Idaho, 3-2, Wednesday night in Boise.

Matt Reber's snap shot from the left-hand circle at the 17:03 mark of the third period proved to be the game-winner for Stockton (34-31-5, 73 points), an outcome that assured Idaho (29-32-9, 67 points) can finish no higher than 6th in the ECHL's Western Conference.

Stockton scored the only goal of the first two periods as Max Campbell finished Gabriel Levesque's centering pass from behind the Idaho net at the 4:04 mark of the first period. Campbell's 14th of the season gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead that it held until the third period thanks to splendid goaltending from Idaho's Jerry Kuhn and Stockton's Olivier Roy.

Idaho drew even at the 6:37 mark of the 3rd period when Chad Nehring tucked a backhander past Roy, just moments after Roy had robbed Nehring at the far post. Nehring's 16th of the season was assisted by Derek LeBlanc and Matt Case to tie the game at one.

Moments later, Idaho appeared to take the lead on a two-on-one rush when LeBlanc centered the puck to Jacob Cepis, who lifted the puck over the leg pad of Roy. Idaho celebrated an apparent goal, but referee Andy Thackaberry signaled nothing before blowing the play dead to confer with off-ice officials at CenturyLink Arena as well as his linesmen. Television replays appeared inconclusive. After a lengthy conversation, Thackaberry waved off the goal and the game remained tied at one.

The Thunder took the lead back when Levesque capitalized on a defensive-zone turnover by Idaho to give Stockton a 2-1 lead at 12:47 of the third. Idaho evened things up at 13:55 when Matt Case's shot from the top of the right-hand circle beat Roy to tie the score at 2-2. Reber's shot at 17:05 gave Utah the lead back and Idaho's last gasp to even the game up fluttered just wide of the far post as Ian Lowe's rebound inside the final three seconds nudged just inches away from tying the game.

Kuhn stopped 34 of 37 in the loss for Idaho, while Roy turned aside 33 of 35 in the win. Neither side converted on the power play as Idaho was 0-2 and Stockton was 0-1.

Idaho wraps up the regular season on Friday and Saturday with two more home games against Stockton. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Chad Nehring

AQUA FINA "3 STARS" -

(1) Matt Reber (STK)

(2) Matt Case (ID)

(3) Chad Nehring (ID)

Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim's Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 28, 2012


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