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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Beat Japan, 6-3, in International Match

January 6, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Fans in Boise were treated to a cultural experience tonight at the Bank of America Centre with the Idaho Steelheads taking on the Japan National Team. The Japan team, part of the Japan Ice Hockey Federation, has been touring the United States to gain exposure and international experience in preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

In addition to an exciting game, fans were treated to Japanese cuisine including sushi, California rolls, bento bowls, teriyaki stir fry, as well as Japanese beers and Saki. The between period entertainment was performed by the Dragon Bushido Dojo Elite Team who portrayed a traditional style of Karate with its origins in China and Okinawa, and the Kawa Taiko group (from Ontario, Oregon) who entertained with an ancient form of Japanese drumming that was used in the samurai days to carry the warrior into battle.

Prior to the game in Boise, Japan had played the ECHL's Reading Royals (Reading 3/Japan 2), Long Beach Ice Dogs (Long Beach 5/Japan 4), and Long Beach All-Star/NHL Charity game (Long Beach 7/Japan 1).

Japan had the first power play opportunity of the game, but the Steelheads killed it off. However, Idaho didn't get so lucky the second time, when Japan with the man-advantage again capitalized with a goal at 8:58. Sho Sato passed the puck out from Idaho's goal line and Dai Ishiruro was there to find the back of the net. Jan Kopecky tied it up for Idaho at 12:41 on a pass from Dave Cornacchia. Dylan Gyori gave Idaho the lead for the first time in the game at 19:24.

Both goaltenders made some key saves in the second period. Less than four minutes into the second period, Scott Burt had a breakaway, but Japan's netminder Yutaka Fukufuji saw him coming and made the save. Later, Japan put some pressure on while trying to take advantage of a power play chance, Idaho's goalie Blair Allison made the stops. Idaho took a two-goal lead at 12:20 when Martin Vasut scored on a soft shot off of a pass by Rob Hartnell.

Scott Burt had several breakaways in the third period, and at 3:47 he picked up the puck on the blue line and skated in alone to beat Fukufuji through the five hole. Shortly after, Burt went in again on a breakaway, but this time Fukufuji made the pad save. However, Burt cashed in on the third breakaway of the period when he beat Japan's goalie top shelf, glove side. Idaho's sixth goal was scored by defenseman Darrell Hay at 12:42. Japan came back with two quick goals near the end of the game, with Kazuyoshi Yamaguchi and Ryota Mita each scoring to close the gap to three goals.

In addition to tonight's international match, five international hockey games have been played at the Bank of America Centre, including two Steelheads games versus the Far East Red Army Russian Team (Idaho won Nov. 6, 1997 4-3, and lost Nov. 7th, 1997 5-2):

STEELHEADS vs. Far East Red Army Russian Team

November 6th, 1997

November 7th, 1997

WCHL All-STARS vs. Team Canada

January 19th, 1999

TEAM USA vs. TEAM CHINA (WOMENS)

January 26th, 2002

SLOVAKIA vs. SWITZERLAND

February 3rd, 2002

STEELHEADS vs TEAM JAPAN

January 6th, 2004

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