ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Blow Early Lead In 3-2 Loss To RoadRunners

February 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Phoenix, AZ - Despite racing out to a two-goal advantage in the opening 10 minutes, the Steelheads fell 3-2 to the RoadRunners on Friday night in front of 3,592 fans at the US Airways Center.

The loss snapped the Steelheads (24-14-7) three-game winning streak while moving their road record to 9-9-2. Meanwhile the RoadRunners (16-23-6), who had lost three of four coming in, picked up their second straight win against the Steelheads in the season series and their ninth win at home overall.

The Steelheads opened the scoring 7:43 into the first period on Marty Flichel's 11th of the season and his fourth in the last five games. On the play, John Lammers dug the puck free from behind the RoadRunners' net and sent it to Lance Galbraith who slipped the disc to a wide open Flichel and he beat Cody Rudkowsky (37 saves) cleanly.

Lammers made it 2-0 just over two minutes later with his fifth marker in the last seven outings, taking a J.S. Adam feed and firing it past Rudkowsky. Flichel earned the second helper.

At the end of one period, the Steelheads led 2-0 after out-shooting the RoadRunners 19-12.

The RoadRunners tallied the only two goals in the middle frame to even the score through 40 minutes. At the 3:48 mark Justin Maiser took Scott Kelman's pass and muscled a shot past Kellen Briggs (33 saves) for his 17th of the year. Less than three minutes later Gino Guyer made it 2-2 deking Briggs from just outside the crease and sliding a backhander five-hole. Mitch Carefoot and Chris Stevens set up the even-strength goal.

In the second period the RoadRunners had 16 shots and the Steelheads had just four.

Kelman netted the eventual game-winner 12:21 into the third period, converting on a power play opportunity from the bottom of the left circle. Daniel Sisca and Peder Skinner, who extended his scoring streak to eight games on the play, registered the helpers.

The final shots favored the Steelheads 39-36, as their record fell to 14-6-4 when gaining more shots then their opponent. The Steelheads went zero-for-four on the power play, while the RoadRunners scored twice in their four chances. With the loss Briggs is now 11-7-1, while Rudkowsky improves to 9-15-3.

The Steelheads tangle with the RoadRunners again on Saturday, February 2 at the Phoenix RoadRunners. The puck drops at 7:11 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket" or via the B2 Networks. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from February 1, 2008


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