ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Idaho Powers Past Utah, 2-1

November 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID (11/20/13) - Idaho scored twice on the power play, including a third-period blast from Ryan Button, and got 25 saves in net from Josh Robinson to defeat the Utah Grizzlies, 2-1, Wednesday night in front of 3,606 fans at CenturyLink Arena.

Idaho (7-4-2, 16 points) now has points in five consecutive games, but it didn't come easy against the scrappy Grizzlies as both goaltenders, Robinson for Idaho and Ben Meisner for Utah, turned in solid performances in net.

The Steelheads struck first at the 7:25 mark of the first period after Utah's Norm Ezekiel was whistled for a double-minor penalty. Just 18 seconds into the ensuing power play, Tommy Grant took a pass from Mitch Wahl and Anthony Nigro near the hashmarks and fired his fifth goal of the season past Meisner, giving Idaho a 1-0 lead, which held into the second period despite a number of good scoring chances from the home team.

In the second, the visitors brought tremendous energy into the Idaho zone, at one point hemming Idaho in to its own zone for over two minutes. At the end of that time, Mathieu Aubin snapped a shot from the left-wing circle through a screen past Robinson at 14:21 of the frame to tie the game at a goal apiece. Utah nearly added another goal on a two-on-one rush, but Robinson was able to get from post to post to deny Kris Hogg at the left edge of the crease as Utah out-shot Idaho in the middle frame, 12-5.

With the game tied at one midway through the third period, Utah was whistled for having too many men on the ice, putting Idaho on the power play. Before play could resume, the Grizzlies were also assessed a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting Idaho on a prolonged power play opportunity. With one second left in the two-man advantage, Wahl fed the puck up the left wing to defenseman Ryan Button. Button carried the puck to the high slot before ripping home his third goal of the season at 10:31 of the third to give Idaho a 2-1 lead. The goal extended Button's point streak to six consecutive games.

The Steelheads would have to fend off some late pressure from Utah to secure the two points and, in doing so, Idaho improved its record in one-goal games to 5-0-2.

Robinson picked up the win with his 25-save performance. Meiser was solid in defeat, stopping 19 of 21 for Utah. Idaho went 2-6 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, giving the Steelheads 13 successful penalty kills in the past 14 man-advantages for the opposition.

Along with Button's point streak, Wahl (six games) and William Rapuzzi (five games) each extended point streaks with assists in the game.

Idaho hits the road for three games in three nights this weekend, starting with San Francisco on Friday. The Steelheads then pay a visit to Stockton to play the Thunder on Saturday and Sunday. All three games can be heard live on KTIK 1350 AM in the Treasure Valley.

Idaho returns home on Tuesday, November 26, against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208-331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Mitch Wahl (2A)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Josh Robinson (ID) 2) Ryan Button (ID) 3) Ben Meisner (UT)

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 November 21, 2013


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