ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads beat Wranglers in nailbiter, 3-2

Published on December 11, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads entertained fans at the Bank of America Centre Saturday night with an exciting 3-2 shootout victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers. The 4,144 in attendance were treated to a physical match between the two teams, with Idaho setting a season-high in shots on goal with 39. Tonight's game marked the first visit by the Wranglers to the Bank of America Centre since last season's Round One of the Kelly Cup Finals. Idaho defeated the Wranglers 3-2 in the best-of-five series to advance to the Pacific Division Finals against Alaska.

The first period ended scoreless despite a four-minute power play awarded to the Wranglers. Lance Galbraith received a double-minor at 9:03 of the first period, but the combination of great goaltending by Frank Doyle and a top-ranked power play allowed the Steelheads to kill it off. Las Vegas outshot Idaho 13-9.

Idaho got on the board early in the penalty-filled second period. Defenseman Darrell Hay took a shot from the right circle, Magliarditti stopped it, but Warren Peters skated in and tucked away the rebound at 2:15. A few minutes later, Las Vegas had another man-advantage and this time capitalized. Billy Tibbetts, in his first game back from a 10-game suspension, shot the puck deep into Idaho's zone, but it took a funny hop off the boards out to Dustin Johner who was in front of the net. Johner caught Doyle out of position and evened the score with his eighth of the season at 6:44. Las Vegas had a two-man advantage and the teams played five-on-three for 17 seconds. Idaho killed off the penalties, but gave up an even-strength goal shortly after. Dan Tudin beat Doyle high, glove side with the go-ahead goal at 16:32. After two, the Wranglers led the Steelheads 2-1. Idaho was 0-3-0 when trailing after two.

Idaho had a great opportunity to tie things up with a man-advantage and just over 6-minutes left in the game. Idaho's Peters won the face off from the right circle in the Wranglers' end and got the puck out to the blue line. Hay picked it up and shot a bullet that somehow got through traffic and into the Wranglers' net. With the game tied up at two-apiece, the teams were forced into a five-minute sudden death overtime.

With 3:08 remaining and Idaho putting pressure on the Wranglers net, Jason McBain was called on a delay-of-game call for knocking the net off its moorings. Regardless, the fourth period ended stilled tied at two.

In the shootout, Las Vegas' Chris Stanley and Johner scored, but Idaho's Peters, Bobby Russell and Frank Lukes also tallied, which was enough to give Idaho the two-point win.

The two teams meet again on Bank of America Centre ice tomorrow night at 7:10 for the rematch.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 11, 2004


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