ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads bite back, even series with 3-2 win

April 16, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


LONG BEACH, California - The Idaho Steelheads rebounded from an opening game loss with a 3-2 win Friday night over the Long Beach Ice Dogs to even the West Division Semifinal series at a game apiece. Frank Doyle's spectacular play in net and three unanswered Idaho goals were the difference in the contest.

Long Beach jumped out to an early lead when Michael Lambert netted his second of the series as he spun around in traffic and fired a shot that beat Doyle at 1:25. Idaho tied it midway through the period. The Steelheads shot the puck into the Long Beach end, and it took a funny hop off the boards and eluded Ice Dogs netminder Sebastien Centomo. Lance Galbraith got to the puck first and passed it to Darrell Hay, whose shot was blocked by Centomo. But Tim Verbeek slammed home the rebound at 9:45 for his first of the playoffs. Idaho took the first penalty of the game, but it was the Steelheads who capitalized while down a man. Ben Keup picked up a loose puck, and outraced the Ice Dogs down the ice to beat Centomo past his right pad for the 2-1 advantage.

Long Beach had a couple of good scoring chances early in the second period, but Doyle stood on his head, stopping point-blank chances on both an Ice Dogs power play and a four-on-four to preserve Idaho's one-goal margin. Idaho received three straight power plays in the second period, and finally cashed in on the third man advantage. Idaho pressured the Long Beach net, and Mike Stutzel banged home a pass from Warren Peters to give the Steelheads a 3-1 lead at 10:43. Idaho took that 3-1 margin to the locker room after two periods.

Both teams had power plays early in the final period, including a short five-on-three for Long Beach, but neither was able to score. Just as the second Idaho penalty expired, Long Beach scored as Matt Noga put in a rebound of a Lambert shot, making it 3-2 at 5:18. With 1:28 left, the teams skated four-on-four for the rest of regulation and Long Beach pulled Centomo with just over a minute left, giving the Ice Dogs the five-on-four advantage. Doyle made some outstanding saves and Idaho was able to hold off the home team to claim the win, sending the series back to the Bank of America Centre for the next two games.

Game 3 is Saturday night, and Game 4 will be Sunday night. The puck drops both nights at 7:10.

Tickets are now on sale at the Bank of America Centre Box Office, by visiting any Select-A-Seat outlet, by calling 331-TIXS (8497), or through the Steelheads website by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com.

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ECHL Stories from April 16, 2005


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