ECHL Idaho Steelheads

No Breaks for Idaho in 4-2 Loss

Published on January 18, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


West Valley City, UT - Utah netted two goals in the first 1:35 of play on Saturday and Idaho was unable to come back despite a number of great opportunities in a 4-2 loss at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.

Idaho (19-14-4) rang a shot off the post in the opening 20 seconds of play as Brett Robinson's bid to give the visitors a fast lead was denied by the red pipe. Utah would quickly counter by picking up a loose puck behind the net and Vincent Scarsella was the recipient of a perfect centering feed for a goal just 47 seconds into the game to make it 1-0. The lead would grow less than a minute later on the power play when Phil Mangan's shot from the top of the right circle beat Josh Watson cleanly at 1:35 of the first to put Utah on top, 2-0.

The Steelheads chipped into Utah's lead at 13:19 when Mitch Wahl's power-play pass found Anthony Nigro alone at the right-wing post for the easy, tap-in goal. Nigro's team-leading 16th of the season was Idaho's first goal in the first period of a game since January 4 at Alaska.

The 2-1 score remained the same half-way through the second period before David Vallorani tucked a nice shot in the top corner, just over Watson's blocker, at 11:37 of the second to make it a 3-1 game. That goal came just moments after Tyler Elbrecht nearly tied the game on a wrist shot from the hash marks, but he was denied by Aaron Dell.

Danick Paquette's wrist shot at 1:36 of the third made it 4-1 in favor of the Grizzlies but the Steelheads attempted to claw back once more. Robinson was victimized by the crossbar midway through the third - a no-goal that the Steelheads thought should have been a goal - and then, moments later, a Steelheads redirection beat Dell cleanly but, again, it clanged off the left post instead of winding up in the back of the net.

The Steelheads got another power-play goal at 16:38 of the third on Patrick Cullity's shot from the high slot. His fourth of the season was assisted by Gaelan Patterson and Rob Linsmayer.

Watson, acquired yesterday by Idaho, took the loss in his first start with the Steelheads, making 30 saves on 34 shots. He also denied DJ Jelitto on a penalty shot in the third period, the first penalty shot for or against Idaho this season. Dell got the win, stopping 27 of 29. Idaho was 2-5 on the power play while Utah was 1-3.

Idaho and Utah wrap up their four-game set on Monday afternoon with a 1:30 matinee that can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) before Idaho returns home on Sunday, January 26, to host Bakersfield.

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