Steelheads drop game two, 3-1, earn split in Georgia
April 29, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Duluth, Georgia - The Idaho Steelheads scored first in Game 2 of the ECHL Western Conference Finals Wednesday night, but couldn't solve Gwinnett netminder Michael Garnett the rest of the game, and fell to the Gladiators, 3-1. Idaho earned a split of the two games at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, after a 5-3 win in Tuesday's opener. Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be played Saturday night at 7:05 in Boise, with Game 4 next Wednesday, also at the Bank of America Centre. Game 5, if necessary, will be back in Duluth.
As he did in Game 1, Idaho's Brett Draney got the visitors on the board first, with a power play goal at 4:47. Darrell Hay and David Bararuk each recorded assists. But the Gladiators scored three unanswered goals in the period, and Garnett made them stand up. Gwinnett's Chris Durno scored two goals, one an even-strength marker, the other on a power play. Tyler Deis tallied the final goal for the hosts, also with the man advantage.
Idaho goaltender Dan Ellis kept the Steelheads in the game, stopping 45 of the 48 shots he faced, but still dropped his second game in the postseason. His record is now 7-2. Garnett's playoff record improves to 7-3.
The Steelheads had three power plays in the second period, including a three-minute man advantage. However, Garnett stymied the Idaho attack. His sprawling save on an Idaho two-on-one midway through the third period kept the Steelheads two goals down. With Ellis pulled for an extra attacker in the game's final 2:54, Garnett stopped several scoring chances as Idaho applied pressure on the Gwinnett net.
Gwinnett was 2-for-6 on the power play, while Idaho went 1-for-6. For the second straight game, the Gladiators outshot the Steelheads, tonight by a 48-34 count.
Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne will welcome the Steelheads home Thursday afternoon with a proclamation ceremony on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building at 3:30. He will proclaim May 1st-8th as "Idaho Steelheads Week" in Idaho, and encourage fans to pack the B of A Centre for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 29, 2004
- Conference Finals Trophies Up for Grabs - ECHL
- Idaho Governor Proclaims Idaho Steelheads Week - ECHL
- Lynx To Make Major Announcement - Augusta Lynx
- Steelheads to throw Block Party Friday night - Idaho Steelheads
- Brian Kelley Resigns as General Manger - Louisiana IceGators
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Steelheads drop game two, 3-1, earn split in Georgia - Idaho Steelheads
- Zepp, Everblades Blank Royals, 1-0 - Reading Royals
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.
