ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Avoid Sweep, Down Salmon Kings, 5-2

December 10, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Four skaters recorded multiple points, while center D'Arcy McConvey's two goals helped pave the way, as the Steelheads beat the Salmon Kings in convincing fashion, 5-2, in front of 4,510 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.

The victory snapped the Steelheads (14-6-1) season-high, three-game losing streak. The team improved to 9-5-1 in division play and 7-4-0 on home ice.

McConvey scored the game's first goal, giving the home team a 1-0 lead at 8:58 of the first period. McConvey unleashed a snap shot from the right circles, beating goaltender Rob McVicar for his ninth of the year. McConvey's marker was a power play goal, snapping a zero for 10 man advantage slump in the three-game series. Defenseman Blake Forsyth and forward Mike Stutzel added the assists.

After one period, the Steelheads led 1-0, while out-shooting Victoria 14-5.

The Salmon Kings (9-15-1) tied the game at one early in the second, with an even-strength goal by Dallas Anderson. It was Anderson's first goal of the season and his first ECHL goal as well. Forward Adam Huxley and defenseman Simon Mangos were credited with the assists.

Scott Burt made the score 2-1 at 5:35 of the stanza, with his second goal of the series and fourth of the season. Burt's shot glanced off the glove of McVicar and found the twine behind him. Justin Cox and Jim Hakewill set up the goal to give the Steelheads their second lead of the evening.

The visitors would answer 2:39 later with a goal by rookie Adam Taylor. It was Taylor's third of the series, with defenseman Kurt Drummond registering the lone helper.

McConvey's second of the game at 11:04 of the middle frame turned out to be the game-winner. Burt hustled in on the forecheck and although he was pinned up by Salmon Kings' defenseman Nate Forster, he was able to center to the Steelheads' captain who beat McVicar five-hole. McConvey now has three game-winning goals on the season to lead the team.

The Steelheads would keep the Salmon Kings off the board the rest of the way, tallying two, third period insurance goals to avoid the sweep. Victoria had won the first two games of the series, their first back-to-back triumphs since last March (33 games).

Garett Bembridge potted his team-leading 15th of the season at 1:19 of the third period to give the Steelheads some breathing room. Greg Hornby rounded out the scoring, with his second goal in as many nights, and his third of the year. Defenseman Jarad Bourassa and Stutzel assisted on Bembridge's marker, while rookie Kurt MacSweyn and Forsyth got the assists on Hornby's deflection that found the net.

The win allowed the Steelheads to improve to 12-0-0 when leading at the second intermission. Steve Silverthorn stopped 14 shots for his seventh win of the season. Making his eighth start in the last 11 games, Silverthorn has now tied fellow netminder Matt Yeats for the team-lead with seven victories.

The Steelheads return to the ice on Friday, December 16, as the Utah Grizzlies come to town for a two-game set. The Steelheads are 2-0-0 against their closest division rival this season. Faceoff is at 7:10 p.m. MST.

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ECHL Stories from December 10, 2005


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