Steelheads Drill Ice Dogs 5-2, As Silverthorn Sets Club Mark For Wins
Published on March 28, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Five skaters recorded multiple points and goaltender Steve Silverthorn stopped 34 shots for his ECHL-leading 33rd victory, as the Steelheads took an early lead and hung on for a 5-2 win over the Long Beach Ice Dogs in front of 3,717 fans at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night.
Silverthorn's 33rd win moves him past Frank Doyle for the most wins in a single season by a Steelheads' goaltender since they joined the ECHL in 2003-2004. The second-year netminder is still chasing Blair Allison's franchise mark of 36 set back in 2001-2002, while the club was in the WCHL.
Meanwhile, the Steelheads (38-24-2-3) have now won three straight games, all of which have been on home ice, as they bolstered their 4th place standing in the National Conference playoff picture. The Ice Dogs (24-39-0-3) have now lost three in a row, as they continue to battle for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Just 1:47 into the opening period rookie defenseman Travis Wight gave the Steelheads a 1-0 lead. After Taggart Desmet won back an offensive zone draw, B.J. Crombeen helped the puck up to the left point where Wight took a few strides before snapping a shot inside the right post for his second of the year.
Midway through the frame, the Steelheads struck twice in 61 seconds to take a commanding 3-0 advantage. First, it was Tuomas Mikkonen tipping home a power play goal from outside the crease for his 17th of the season. Taggart Desmet, who took the initial shot and Jay Beagle set up the marker at 10:49. The assist was Beagle's first professional point, as he was playing in just his third game. Moments later, Marty Flichel blasted a shot from the top of the left circles that glanced off an Ice Dogs' defenseman's stick and through the legs of goaltender Brett Jaeger (5 saves). Darrell Hay and Derek Nesbitt grabbed the helpers on Flichel's team-leading 38th, which ended the night for Jaeger, thus putting Mike Brown (34 saves) between the pipes for the Ice Dogs.
The Ice Dogs got on the board in the final minute of the first period on a left point shot by Brian White that got past Silverthorn. Brandon Schwartz and David Walker picked up the assists on the even-strength tally at 19:44, which was White's first of the year.
After the first period the Steelheads led 3-1.
Beginning the second stanza on a man advantage, the Ice Dogs took full advantage, as Ash Goldie tipped an aerial pass off the crossbar and behind Silverthorn for his team-leading 33rd of the campaign. The assists went to Chris Collins and Alexei Smirnov on the goal at 1:16.
Crombeen answered for the Steelheads just 24 seconds later, netting his sixth goal. Dancing out from the left circles, Crombeen got himself open in the high slot where he wristed a shot past the blocker side of Brown for a 4-2 lead. Desmet and Mikkonen picked up the helpers.
Through 40 minutes the Steelheads trailed in shots 28-27, but they led the contest by two.
The Steelheads potted the only goal in the third period off the stick of John Lammers at 15:06. Playing in just his fourth ECHL contest, Lammers banged home a rebound from the slot to make the score 5-2. Nesbitt and Flichel recorded the assists on the even-strength goal.
For the night, the Steelheads out-shot the Ice Dogs 44-36. The home team's power play ended two-for-seven, while the visitors finished one-for-eight.
The Steelheads continue their series against the Long Beach Ice Dogs on Friday, March 30. The puck drops at 7:10 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 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.
ECHL Stories from March 28, 2007
