ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Rallo's Hat Trick Powers Steelheads To 5-2 Win Over Bombers In Game Two

Published on May 25, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Steelheads' rookie Greg Rallo recorded his first career hat trick and Derek Nesbitt racked up three assists in a convincing 5-2 win over the Dayton Bombers in Game Two of the Kelly Cup Finals from Qwest Arena on Friday night.

A near sellout crowd of 4,926 witnessed the Steelheads (13-6) seventh home win of the playoffs, as they improve to 4-0 in Game Two's during the postseason, and subsequently even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece. Meanwhile, the Bombers (12-7), who had won four of their last five games, drop to 6-4 on the road.

Midway through the opening period, the Steelheads opened the scoring on a pretty passing play. John Lammers started the play in the Steelheads' zone by taking a hit from a Bombers' fore-checker, while sweeping the puck through center and onto B.J. Crombeen. Crombeen carried the puck deep into the Bombers' zone along the left wing side before sending a blind feed into the slot for Rallo, who chipped the puck into a partially vacated cage, as Bombers' goaltender Adam Berkhoel (38 saves) was left sitting on his pads at the near post.

Then at the 15:46 mark, Steelheads' defenseman Kory Scoran lugged the puck through center before firing a long snap shot that appeared to dip on its way past Berkhoel. Veteran winger Scott Burt drew the lone helper on Scoran's second of the playoffs to make it 2-0.

Rallo's second of the night and fifth of the playoffs; a power play goal at 17:14 made it a 3-0 game before intermission. Skating out from the left wing wall, Rallo snapped a shot over the blocker of Berkhoel and into the top shelf. Lance Galbraith and Nesbitt grabbed the assists.

Late in the second period the visitors climbed back into the contest with a pair of man advantage markers just 60 seconds apart. At 15:07, Matt Herneisen took a feed in the Steelheads' slot and beat goaltender Steve Silverthorn (24 saves) for his second of the playoffs. Philippe Dupuis and Yannick Tifu snagged the assists. Dupuis then made it a 3-2 game with Herneisen and Greg Labenski picking up points on Dupuis' sixth of the playoffs.

The Steelheads would put the game away in the third period, converting on the power play at 5:45 and 11:37 to seal the victory. On Rallo's hat trick marker, defenseman Darrell Hay threw a shot through traffic that Nesbitt deflected to the right post, allowing Rallo to slam the puck into the back of the net.

Galbraith potted the club's fifth goal, tipping home a pass from Marty Flichel for his 10th of the playoffs. Nesbitt gathered the second assist on the third power play goal of the night for the Steelheads, equaling a playoff-high.

The final shots favored the Steelheads 43-26. Silverthorn's victory was his ECHL-leading 13th, while Berkhoel drops to 12-7.

Games Three, Four and Five (if necessary) of the Kelly Cup Finals, presented by Fresh Express and Albertsons, will be played at the Nutter Center in Dayton beginning on Sunday, May 27. Face-off for Game Three is at 6:00 p.m. MDT. All of the road games can be viewed at the Sportzone on the 3rd floor of Qwest Arena for a $10 cover charge or by tuning in to 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket". For more information on the Steelheads, visit www.idahosteelheads.com.

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ECHL Stories from May 25, 2007


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