ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Nesbitt Scores Late As Steelheads Down RoadRunners 4-3

Published on January 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID -Derek Nesbitt buried the game-winning goal with 3:37 left in regulation and emergency back-up goaltender Blair Allison made 14 saves over the final two periods to propel the Steelheads to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners in front of a sold out crowd of 5,018 at Qwest Arena on Friday night.

Allison's first win since 2003-2004 was the Steelheads (20-15-1-1) ninth on home ice this season and their fifth against the RoadRunners (19-17-1-1). The hard-earned two points puts the Steelheads back in sole possession of second place in the West Division.

Trailing 3-2 entering the final stanza, the home team's third period rally started with a RoadRunners' defensive turnover and a subsequent even-strength goal by Lance Galbraith. Steelheads' rookie Charlie Johnson settled down a bouncing puck just inside the RoadRunners' blue line and fed Colin Shields at the top of the left circles. Shields then whizzed the puck to Galbraith, who made a quick move at the goalmouth before smacking the puck past RoadRunners' goaltender Mike Morrison (45 saves) to tie the contest at three. Galbraith's 14th of the season came at 6:21 of the third.

With time winding down in regulation, Nesbitt took a Greg Rallo drop pass off a neutral zone rush and blistered a wrist shot underneath the crossbar for his 14th marker and third game-winner of the year. Marty Flichel got the second assist, as he took the puck at center and found Rallo along the right wing boards.

The first period saw a ton of action, as the Steelheads took an early 1-0 on a power play goal by defenseman Darrell Hay. With Morrison caught out of position, Johnson gathered a loose puck in the slot and got the puck to Hay, who wristed a shot into the top left corner. Shields got the other assist, his 10th with the Steelheads and 16th of the season.

At 11:07 of the frame the RoadRunners answered with a power play goal of their own. Defenseman Alexandre Rouleau took a feed at the left circles and he picked the far right corner with a quick snap shot over the glove of starter John Daigneau (6 saves). Daniel Winnik, in his first game with the RoadRunners, got the first helper, while Justin Aikins grabbed the other.

Just 1:18 later Todd Jackson swept a puck from the slot that caromed off several bodies and found its way through Daigneau for the RoadRunners first lead. Again, Winnik and Aikins registered the assists.

The RoadRunners would get their third goal of the night on another power play goal by Rouleau, his seventh of the campaign. This time Jackson got him the puck and his shot sailed over Daigneau for a 3-1 lead. Winnik drew his third assist on the tally.

Late in the first period, the Steelheads managed a second power play goal to cut their deficit to one on Flichel's team-leading 17th of the season. After sustained puck possession, Kyle Peto set up Flichel for a one-timer that he blasted just inside the left post. Nesbitt got the other assist.

There was no scoring in the second period, as the Steelheads out-shot the RoadRunners 18-4.

The final shots favored the Steelheads, 49-23. Both teams ended the evening with two power play goals.

The Steelheads finish their season series against the RoadRunners on Saturday, January 20. Face-off is at 7:10 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from January 19, 2007


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