Steelheads Double Up Salmon Kings 4-2 In Preseason Action; Rematch Is Saturday Night
October 13, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
McCall, Idaho - Four different skaters scored and goaltender Steve Silverthorn turned aside 32 shots, as the Steelheads won 4-2 over the Victoria Salmon Kings in front of a sellout crowd from the Manchester Ice and Event Centre in the preseason opener for both sides.
There was no scoring in the first period, as the Salmon Kings out-shot the Steelheads 19-8. Despite the lack of goals, there were good chances for both teams, as the Salmon Kings hit the post once and the crossbar twice in the opening period alone. There was also plenty of special teams play in the first 20 minutes, with the Salmon Kings failing to score in four power play chances while the Steelheads went zero-for-two.
With the Steelheads on the power play early in the second period, it was the Salmon Kings who would strike first. The visitors dumped the puck into the Steelheads' zone and Silverthorn lost his stick behind his own net as he gave the puck away to Salmon Kings' center Kiel McLeod. McLeod immediately slipped the puck into the slot where Adam Taylor blasted it past a stick-less Silverthorn just inside the far post. Former Steelhead David Morisset also got an assist on the goal at 1:15.
Minutes after the Steelheads hit a post of their own on a shot by winger Tuomas Mikkonen, the Steelheads headed to the man advantage where they were able to tie the contest. At 8:31, defenseman Colin Peters took a feed from fellow blue-liner Kory Scoran and ripped a one-timer from the right point that beat Salmon Kings' goaltender Dave Belitski five-hole. Winger Mike Ramsay added the other assist on the power play tally.
The Steelheads would take their first lead of the game at 11:23 of the stanza, as center Greg Rallo crashed the net and redirected a Francis Wathier pass behind Belitski to make the score 2-1. Off the rush into the offensive zone, Rallo was able to get free from a Salmon Kings' defender and tip the puck through the legs of Belitski from just outside the crease. Marty Flichel was also credited with a helper.
Late in the second period, the Steelheads made it 3-1 on an even-strength marker by rookie Kyle Bruce. Fellow rookies Charlie Johnson and Jon Smyth set up the goal at 16:00. Belitski was able to make the initial stop on Johnson, but as he went to cover up the puck, Bruce whacked it through his pads.
The shots in the second period were 20-4 in favor of the Steelheads.
The two sides traded goals in the third period. The home team made it 4-1 at 7:23 of frame as Mikkonen scored the Steelheads second man advantage goal of the evening. Mikkonen, who found an opening in the slot, took a pass from defenseman Cody Blanshan and quickly fired a one-timer that was stopped by Belitski. However, the Finnish native got to his own rebound and found the back of the net to give the Steelheads their largest lead. Scoran picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.
Just 45 seconds later, the Salmon Kings answered as Wes Goldie beat Silverthorn over his right shoulder from the bottom of the circles. Ryan Thrussell and Ryan Wade drew the helpers on the even-strength goal that rounded out the scoring.
For the match, the Steelheads out-shot the Salmon Kings 42-34, as both teams finished with 11 power play opportunities. These two teams will go at it again tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.
The Steelheads begin their 10th anniversary season on Friday, October 20 on the road against the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The home opener is Friday, November 3 at 7:10 p.m. versus the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased at 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.
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