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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Clinch Playoff Spot Despite 3-2 Loss To Thunder

March 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Stockton, CA - Three power play goals by the host Stockton Thunder, including the eventual game-winner early in the third period, were too much as the Steelheads fell 3-2 in front of 6,873 fans at Stockton Arena on Friday night.

Despite the one-goal defeat, the Steelheads (34-22-2-3) clinched a playoff spot because the Long Beach Ice Dogs lost 4-2 to the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday.

At 9:48 of the first period, the Thunder (28-22-5-5) took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Tim Verbeek. From just outside the crease, the former Steelheads redirected Stephane Goulet's point shot past Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (25 saves), as defenseman Beau Geisler picked up the second assist on Verbeek's 14th of the season.

That tally was the only goal in the first period, as both teams finished with 14 shots.

Early in the second period, more traffic in front of Silverthorn paid dividends for the home team. At the 3:13 mark, the Thunder claimed a 2-0 advantage with their second man advantage marker of the evening off a tip in front by recently acquired forward Brock Radunske. Geisler and Nathan Martz recorded the assists on Radunske's fifth of the campaign.

The Steelheads then responded with two power play goals of their own to even the score before the second period expired. At 12:04, Marty Flichel rocketed a shot from the left circles that beat Thunder goaltender Devan Dubnyk (34 saves) short side for his team-leading 33rd of the season. Darrell Hay and Derek Nesbitt grabbed the helpers on the Steelheads 17th power play goal in the last 11 matches.

Then at 17:15, Crombeen took a drop pass from Nesbitt off the rush and blasted a one-timer just inside the left post to deadlock the tilt. Hay grabbed his second assist on the tally.

Less than 90 seconds into the third period, and in the midst of a four-minute power play, the Thunder netted the eventual game-winner, as Colin Pepperall found himself alone at the side of the crease and he swept a Radunske feed past a sprawled out Silverthorn for his third goal in just four contests this year.

For the match, the Steelheads out-shot the Thunder 36-28. Dubnyk gathered his fourth win against the Steelheads and his 18th this season, while Silverthorn drops to 30-15-2-3. The Steelheads ended the night at two-for-seven on the power play and five-for-eight on the penalty kill./

The Steelheads continue their four-game road swing against the Fresno Falcons on Saturday, March 17. The puck drops at 8:05 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single game tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office.

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