Idaho Rallies for OT Winner over Colorado
April 13, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Andrew Carroll scored the game-tying goal late in the third period and the game-winning goal early in overtime as the Idaho Steelheads edged the Colorado Eagles, 3-2, in extra time Friday night at CenturyLink Arena in Boise.
The victory, witnessed by 3,057 fans, pushed Idaho into the ECHL's Western Conference semifinals as the the Steelheads won the best-of-seven, first-round series over the Eagles, four games to two.
The Steelheads advance to face the Ontario Reign in the semifinals beginning on Friday, April 19, in Ontario. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) are scheduled for Boise's CenturyLink Arena on April 24, April 26 and April 27.
Colorado, looking to tie the series, drew first blood less than a minute into the game on a nice centering pass from Greg Gardner to Brock Nixon. Nixon scored from the top of the crease 53 seconds into the game to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Midway through the second stanza, with the score still 1-0, th high-powered Colorado power play had a minute of 5-on-3 power-play time, but Idaho's penalty kill kept the Eagles at bay before killing the remaining minute of 5-on-4 power play time to keep the Steelheads within a goal.
Less than three minutes later, Idaho would draw even on an Adrian Foster pass from the right-wing wall to Austin Smith. Smith sprung free through the circle on Colorado's Kyle Jones, back-handing the game-tying goal over Jones' blocker at 13:45 of the second to tie the game at one goal apiece. Foster's assist gives him a point in each of Idaho's six playoff games. Colorado scored the go-ahead goal at 18:58 of the second period when Trent Daavatilla pounced on a loose puck near the top of the crease to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead going into the third.
That score would hold through most of the third period. Matt Case nearly tied the game for Idaho with a hard shot from the high slot, but it rang off the post midway through the third. Then, with 3:20 left in regulation, Colorado's Dylan Hood was assessed a slashing penalty to put Idaho on the power play. Just 28 seconds later, Andrew Carroll redirected a Case shot from the top of the right circle past Jones to tie the game at two on the power play, forcing overtime.
The Steelheads came out hopping in the extra session, keeping the puck in the Colorado zone for most of the first minute. After a Colorado clear, Idaho would establish control again in the offensive zone. Tyler Gron got the puck to the front of the net and Carroll, just 1:43 into the overtime period, jabbed home the loose puck to win the game and send Idaho into the Western Conference semifinals.
The Steelheads improved to 4-1 in Game 6 during the ECHL era, including a perfect 4-0 at home, dating back to the 2003-04 season.
Tyler Beskorowany was solid in net for Idaho, picking up his third win of the postseason by stopping 24 of 26 shots. Jones took the loss for Colorado, surrendering three goals on 26 shots. Idaho's power play was 1-4 but, more importantly, the penalty-kill was a perfect three-for-three. In Idaho's four wins in the series, Colorado's potent power play was just 1-16.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 13, 2013
- Walleye Force Game 6 with 3-1 Victory - Cincinnati Cyclones
- The Pesky Jackals Earn 5-1 Win in Game 5 - Elmira Jackals
- ECHL Transactions - April 13 - ECHL
- Jack Downing Recalled by Binghamton - Elmira Jackals
- SF Bulls in Must-Win Game 5 against Aces - San Francisco Bulls
- Elmira Jackals Game Preview - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati vs. Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - April 13 - ECHL
- With their season on the brink, the Thunder rallies for five unanswered goals in third period - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Drop Wranglers 5-3 to Force Game 7 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- SF Bulls Lose Horse Race at the Cow Palace, 6-5 to Alaska - San Francisco Bulls
- Aces Take Wild Game Four over Bulls 6-5 - Alaska Aces
- Steelheads, Reign Announce Playoff Dates - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho Rallies for OT Winner over Colorado - Idaho Steelheads
- Reign to Face Steelheads in Second Round - Ontario Reign
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.
