ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Come Up Short In 3-1 Loss To RoadRunners

Published on January 2, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Phoenix, AZ - RoadRunners' goaltender David McKee turned aside 34 shots, as the Steelheads three-game winning streak came to an end in a 3-1 loss to the RoadRunners in front of 2,682 fans at the US Airways Center on Wednesday night.

The loss also snaps the Steelheads (15-11-7) five-game winning streak against the RoadRunners (11-15-5), as the Steelheads move to 3-2-0 on their season-long, seven-game road trip and 4-6-2 on the road overall.

After a scoreless first period, the RoadRunners opened the scoring with an even-strength goal by Sean O'Connor, his team-leading 15th. On the play, Thatcher Bell had his shot blocked by Steelheads' defenseman J.S. Adam, but Bell was able to gather the loose puck from below the Steelheads' goal line and stuff it back in front, where O'Connor slammed it past Steve Silverthorn (29 saves). Peder Skinner picked up the second assist. That goal snapped Silverthorn's 117:04 scoreless streak, dating back to 12/28/07 at Las Vegas.

The RoadRunners increased their lead to 2-0 at 4:52 of the third period on Ryan Walsh's fifth of the year. On a two-on-one rush, Gino Guyer had his opportunity denied by Silverthorn but the rebound came to a wide-open Walsh who swept it home. Jeff Smith got the second helper.

Lance Galbraith drew the Steelheads to within one with a power play goal at 6:51 of the frame, his 13th of the season and his fourth marker in the last five games. Matt Craig grabbed the primary assist as he carried the puck into the offensive zone before sending a rink-wide pass to Galbraith, who fired a wrist shot into the top corner over the blocker of McKee. Marty Flichel also registered a point on the play.

Bell restored the home team's two-goal lead with his ninth of the year, sneaking a shot through Silverthorn to make it a 3-1 game at 11:39. O'Connor and Reagan Rome added the assists.

The final shots favored the Steelheads 35-32. The visitors went one-for-five on the power play, while the RoadRunners went zero-for-three. Silverthorn is now 7-7-4 on the season and 11-4-0 against the RoadRunners all time, while McKee picked up his third win.

The Steelheads wrap up their seven-game road trip with the first of two games from Bakersfield against the Condors, beginning on Friday, January 4. The puck drops at 8:05 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 January 2, 2008


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