ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Rush Shutout Steelheads, Snap Win Streak

February 18, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - The Steelheads (27-20-4) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Arena, as Danny Battochio made 24 saves to backstop the Rapid City Rush (19-26-4) to a 2-0 shutout victory.

It's the first time Idaho has been shutout since December 9th, a 4-0 loss in Allen. It was their first shutout defeat this season on home ice.

Cody Ferriero's power play goal at 2:46 of the second period was the difference-maker for the Rush, giving them a 1-0 lead that they would protect until Winston Day Chief's empty-net goal iced the game with 43 seconds remaining.

With the Rush on a power play, Jake Rutt tried to make a pass inside the defensive zone to Kyle Jean. Jean was not looking for the pass and instead the puck came right to Rapid City's Michael Young. The defenseman quickly sailed the puck to the front of the net for Ferriero's deflection past Jack Campbell. The goal was Ferriero's eighth of the season and fourth against the Steelheads this year.

Battachio earned his second shutout of the season for the Rush. He faced just 15 shots through the first two periods, but his workload increased in the third as the Steelheads brought their most offensive pressure and fired nine shots. Still, the Steelheads couldn't find a way to beat Battochio, who made key stops late in the third on Kyle Jean and Jefferson Dahl.

The win was just the second for Rapid City in the last 15 games, and they are now 4-3-0 this season against Idaho. The Steelheads have gone six periods since their last goal, Andrew Carroll's tally against the Grizzlies on February 12th.

Day Chief's empty-net goal in the game's final minute made Shawn Boutin a minus-1, ending his streak of consecutive games without a minus rating at 23 contests. He was a plus-19 over that stretch.

The Utah Grizzlies defeated Atlanta on Wednesday night, pushing them two points ahead of the Steelheads in the West Division standings with a game in hand.

The Steelheads make their first ever visit to Wichita for a two-game set this weekend, starting on Saturday night with puck-drop scheduled for 6:05pm MT. The game is available on 1350AM KTIK and ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS:

Jack Campbell: 29 saves on 30 shots

Power Play: 0-for-2

Penalty Kill: 1-for-2

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Cody Ferriero RCR

2. Matt Battochio RCR

3. Michael Young RCR

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Cody Ferriero: Game-winning power play goal

PLAY OF THE GAME:

The Steelheads and Rush both had a hard time generating quality scoring chances in the first period, and that often means that the team to make the first mistake will face an uphill battle. That play came when the Steelheads failed to clear the zone on the penalty kill in the second period, the errant pass instead going right to Michael Young. Cody Ferriero camped out in front and redirected the Young pass to give the Rush the only goal they'd need. On a night with zero margin for error, a defensive zone mistake cost the Steelheads.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2016


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