ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Downed By Thunder 3-2

November 3, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Stockton, CA - For the third time in five games the Steelheads saw a third period lead slip away, as the Stockton Thunder scored twice in the final frame to win 3-2 in front of 9,737 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday night.

The Steelheads (2-2-3) have not won in four road games this season after winning 45 times away from home over the last two seasons, while the Thunder (4-3-0) have won four straight overall.

The Thunder struck for the only goal in the opening period picking up an even-strength tally by Jesse Bennefield at 12:31. After some sustained offensive pressure, Jacob Mickflikier fed the puck back to defenseman Brad Farynuk who blasted a chest-high shot that Bennefield tipped past Steelheads' goaltender Kellen Briggs (23 saves) for his team-leading sixth of the campaign.

Late in the first period Thunder goaltender Cam Ellsworth (29 saves) made several terrific stops to keep the Steelheads' off the board, denying Lance Galbraith and Greg Rallo from close range during a Steelheads' power play. Shots in the first period favored the Thunder 12-9.

Early in the second stanza the Steelheads tied the game. At the 4:11 mark Marty Flichel collected his own rebound and beat Ellsworth for his third of the season and his first even-strength point. Galbraith and Taggart Desmet grabbed the assists on the club's first marker of the two-game set.

Minutes later Flichel was at it again setting up rookie Mike Sullivan for his first professional goal. On the play, Travis Wight tracked down a dump-in below the Thunder goal line and played the puck free to Flichel who was in the right wing corner. Flichel then found Sullivan moving into the high slot and he quickly snapped a shot into the top shelf.

Through 40 minutes the Steelheads, who out-shot the Thunder 13-4 in the second period, led 2-1.

Just under five minutes into the third period the Thunder began their rally as Jonas Almtorp grabbed a loose puck at the side of Briggs' cage and buried his chance to tie the game at two. His first of the season was assisted by Geoff Paukovich and Ryan MacMurchy.

Then, with seven minutes left in regulation the Thunder took a 3-2 lead on Brandon Schwartz's first marker of the year. Moments after Sullivan hit the crossbar on a wrister from the high slot, the Thunder broke in on a three-on-two rush with Schwartz being the recipient of a drop pass from Andy Contois. Schwartz's shot glanced off of Steelheads' defenseman Darrell Hay and past Briggs, with Brian Lee adding the second assist for the home team.

The Steelheads out-shot the Thunder in the contest 31-26, with the two teams combining to go zero-for-11 on the man advantage.

The Steelheads return home to take on the Alaska Aces for a three-game series beginning on Wednesday, November 7. The puck drops at 7:10 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 November 3, 2007


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