ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Doubled Up By RoadRunners 6-3

January 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Marty Flichel's one goal and one assist effort wasn't enough as the Steelheads, who were playing with emergency back-up goaltender Blair Allison between the pipes, fell 6-3 to the Phoenix RoadRunners in front of another sold out crowd of 5,533 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.

The loss was the Steelheads (20-16-1-1) eighth on home ice, while the RoadRunners (20-17-1-1) won for just the second time in the last six games. It was also the final game of the 10-game season series between the two clubs, with the Steelheads going 5-5-0-0.

Flichel put the Steelheads in front 1-0, blasting a shot past RoadRunners' goaltender Mike Morrison (24 saves) at 11:56 of the first period. Flichel actually fired his first chance over the net but the puck ricocheted off the glass and bounced back into the slot where he re-gathered and cranked up another slap shot for his 18th goal of the season. Defenseman Kory Scoran and rookie center Greg Rallo picked up the assists.

Just under five minutes later the RoadRunners converted on a power play opportunity to even the score. Defenseman Alexandre Rouleau took a pass at the left circles and snapped the puck off the right post and past Steelheads' goaltender Blair Allison (16 saves). His third of the two-game set and eighth of the campaign was set up by Olivier Latendresse and Matt Deschamps.

After one period of play, the score was even at one while the RoadRunners were leading in shots, 8-5.

Early in the second period the RoadRunners took their first lead with their second power play goal of the contest. From the right point, defenseman Jake Ortmeyer pushed a shot through traffic that caromed off Cam Paddock body and past Allison. Chanse Fitzpatrick drew the second assist. Paddock's goal at 3:27 was his sixth of the year and his first against the Steelheads.

Just 29 seconds later Derek Nesbitt got the Steelheads even again, with his 15th of the year. Off a rush along the right wing side, Nesbitt took a drop pass from Flichel just over the blue line and rocketed a shot through Morrison for his sixth goal in the last four games.

At 17:04 of the middle frame, Justin Aikins put the RoadRunners back in front with his 16th goal of the season. Brock Hooton got the lone assist. Then less than a minute later, the visitors converted on an odd man rush as Latendresse banged home a rebound from the crease off Fitzpatrick's original shot, pushing their lead to 4-1. Captain Cam Paddock added the other helper.

Forty-one seconds into the third period RoadRunners' forward Todd Jackson made it a 5-2 game with a breakaway goal, his ninth. Rouleau got the only assist.

Tuomas Mikkonen would get the Steelheads back to within two, with an even-strength goal at 3:12, off a one-timer from the slot. Winger Colin Shields moved out from the left wing boards and curled around the offensive circles before finding Mikkonen for his eighth of the campaign. Defenseman Mike Gabinet also got a point on the play.

Paddock's second of the night sealed the win for the RoadRunners, as he ripped home an empty net goal with 1:05 to go in the contest. The final shots favored the Steelheads at 27-22.

The Steelheads now embark on a five-game road trip beginning on Wednesday, January 23 against the Utah Grizzlies. Face-off is at 7:05 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 20, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central