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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Stalock, O'Connor Lift Stockton Past Idaho

January 24, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


(Boise, ID) - Ian O'Connor scored twice in the second period and Alex Stalock turned aside 29 of 30 Idaho shots Tuesday night as the Stockton Thunder defeated the homestanding Steelheads, 4-1, in front of 2,838 fans at CenturyLink Arena.

Stockton improves to 18-17-4 on the season while Idaho falls to 18-19-3 and one point behind the Thunder into 6th place in the ECHL's Western Conference standings.

Idaho got on the board first early in the second period when Michael Neal's shot from the left-hand circle beat Stalock to make it 1-0 Steelheads. Neal's fourth of the season was assisted by Derek LeBlanc, giving LeBlanc four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games.

Stockton didn't wait long to respond, however. Just 28 seconds later, Garet Hunt squeezed a shot from the bottom of the left-hand circle between Idaho's Jerry Kuhn and the near post, tying the game at one and seeming to stymie any Steelhead momentum. Five minutes later, the Thunder took the lead for good on a two-on-one rush, with Ian O'Connor's backhand beating Kuhn to make it 2-1 at the 7:32 mark of the second frame. O'Connor would score again at 14:51 of the second to make it 3-1 and give O'Connor 12 markers on the season. Colton Hayes assisted on both O'Connor goals.

Stalock made two big saves on breakaways, denying Neal and Jacob Cepis in the second period, to keep the Thunder in control. Stockton added a goal in the third from Jordan Fulton, making it 4-1 midway through the final period for the final margin.

Jerry Kuhn took the loss for Idaho, stopping 19 of 23 shots as Idaho out-shot the Thunder, 30-23. Neither team could score on the power play - the Steelheads were 0-2 and the Thunder were 0-3.

The same two teams meet again Wednesday night in Boise as the Steelheads team with Bud Light to offer fans of legal age $1 beers through the end of the second period. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Michael Neal

AQUA FINA "3 STARS" -

(1) Ian O'Connor (STK)

(2) Alex Stalock (STK)

(3) Michael Neal (ID)

Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim's Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

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ECHL Stories from January 24, 2012


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