Riopel Backstops Thunder to Win over Steelheads
March 4, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder
(Idaho Steelheads)
Wichita, KS - Nick Riopel fought off a late barrage and made 32 saves for his 12th win of the season on Sunday afternoon, guiding the Wichita Thunder (30-23-6) to a 2-1 win over the Idaho Steelheads (33-19-6) at INTRUST Bank Arena and snapping a six-game winless streak for the Thunder.
The Steelheads pulled goaltender Philippe Desrosiers from the net with just over two minutes remaining in the third period, trailing by a goal. Justin Parizek beat Riopel to the blocker but rang the post, and shortly after a Will Merchant attempt fluttered over Riopel but landed on top of the net.
The Steelheads were credited with the final seven shots of the game, six of them in the final 2:19 of play.
Guillaume Lepine broke a 1-1 tie with his fifth goal of the season at 6:38 of the third period, creeping down from the left point for a Ralph Cuddemi feed in the high slot to beat Desrosiers over the glove for a 2-1 Thunder lead.
Eric Sweetman got the Steelheads on the board first at 2:20 of the first period, firing a slap shot from the right point through a Brady Brassart screen for his fifth goal of the season. The Steelheads would hold that lead until 1:36 of the second period, when a blocked point shot became a break the other way for Wichita. Cuddemi finished a Ryan Van Stralen feed for his 24th of the season to tie the game 1-1.
The Steelheads and Thunder split the season series, with both teams going 2-2-0 and winning a game in each building. The Steelheads currently sit second in the Mountain Division, six points ahead of the third-place Thunder.
Philippe Desrosiers made 25 saves in a losing effort, his tenth consecutive appearance.
The Steelheads return home to open a three-game home stand, beginning with a single meeting on Wednesday night with the Allen Americans. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK and seen on Cable One and ECHLTV.
STEELHEADS STATS:
Goals: Sweetman (5)
Philippe Desrosiers: 25 saves on 27 shots
Power Play: 0-for-2
Penalty Kill: 3-for-3
CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Guillaume Lepine WCH
2. Ralph Cuddemi WCH
3. Nick Riopel WCH
COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ralph Cuddemi: Goal, assist, 3 shots, plus-2
PLAY OF THE GAME:
A failed clearing attempt became the go-ahead goal and ultimately the game-winner at 6:38 of the third period. Corbin Baldwin tracked a bouncing puck back into the Idaho zone and tried to fire it back up the near boards and out to center. That clearing attempt was gloved down by Ralph Cuddemi and stayed in the zone, and moments later Cuddemi slid a pass from the half-wall to Guillaume Lepine sinking into the high slot for a wrist shot into the top right corner.
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 Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder |
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