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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Rookie Beagle Shines As Steelheads Muscle Past Ice Dogs 4-2

March 31, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Rookie forward Jay Beagle registered three assists, as the Steelheads skated past the Long Beach Ice Dogs 4-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 5,047 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.

It was the second straight three-point effort for the University of Alaska-Anchorage product, who now has one goal and six assists in his first five professional games. With the win, the Steelheads (39-24-2-4) move their unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-0-1), while finishing up their regular season home schedule with 20 wins. The loss drops the Ice Dogs (25-40-0-3) to eight games under .500 away from home, while the Steelheads finish their season series with the visitors at 4-1-0-1. Pending the results of some other games around the ECHL, the Steelheads will maintain fourth place in the National Conference by two points over the Stockton Thunder and by at least six points over the Fresno Falcons.

For the third straight game of the series the Steelheads scored first, tallying late in the opening frame at the 16:48 mark. After a prolonged shift in the Ice Dogs' zone and with a delayed penalty to the visitors upcoming, Beagle centered to Alexander Naurov at the side of the crease. Naurov's shot was kicked aside by Ice Dogs' goaltender Mike Brown (27 saves), but Taggart Desmet swept home the rebound for his 11th of the year.

With 20 minutes in the books, the Steelheads led 1-0.

After a stalemate for most of the second period, the Steelheads made it a 2-0 game on Tuomas Mikkonen's fourth goal of the series and his 20th on the season. Beagle grabbed the first assist and B.J. Crombeen added the second helper.

Through 40 minutes, the shots favored the Steelheads 19-12 and they held a 2-0 lead.

Midway through the third period, Derek Nesbitt hammered home a power play goal at the 9:21 mark to give the Steelheads a 3-0 advantage. Nesbitt's 28th of the campaign and his 79th point turned out to be the game-winner. Beagle and Marty Flichel collected the helpers, as Beagle's goalmouth feed came to Nesbitt at the right side of the cage.

However, the Ice Dogs rallied with two goals in just under five minutes to cut the Steelheads lead to one. At 13:52, Brad Bonello swept a shot through the legs of Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (21 saves), and then at 18:24, the club's leading scorer, Ash Goldie, beat Silverthorn off a scramble in front. Alexei Smirnov and Bo Cheesman set up Bonello's even-strength marker, while Goldie's 34th came on the power play and was assisted by Gary Gladue and Brandon Schwartz.

With 43 seconds left in regulation, Flichel potted an empty-netter, his team-leading 39th to round out the scoring. Silverthorn got the only assist, which was his first professional point. With his 39th tally, Flichel ties D'Arcy McConvey for the most goals by a Steelheads' player in a single season since the team joined the ECHL in 2003. McConvey accomplished the feat last year.

The final shot favored the Steelheads 31-23, as both teams netted one power play goal. Silverthorn's victory is his ECHL-leading 34th, while Brown suffered his 20th loss.

The Steelheads wrap up the regular season on the road for three games beginning at the Bakersfield Condors on Wednesday, April 4. Don't forget, Steelheads' single game playoff tickets go on sale on this week and can be purchased by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office. Plus, first round playoff voucher packs are on sale now, offering great savings to those fans that buy early. Call 383-0080 for more information.

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