ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Edge Aces 3-2 To Claim National Conference Crown

Published on May 15, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Scott Burt scored shorthanded early in the third period to boost the Steelheads to a 3-2 win over the Alaska Aces in Game Five of the National Conference Finals, sending them to the Kelly Cup Finals for the second time in four seasons.

In front of a raucous crowd of 3,490 at Qwest Arena, Burt beat Aces' goaltender Derek Gustafson (33 saves) five-hole on a breakaway that began with a pass from Greg Rallo. The veteran winger's second of the playoffs, and second of the series, came at 4:59 of the frame and turned out to be the series-clinching marker, ending the Aces (9-6) season. Rookie defenseman Travis Wight also got a helper, as he dug the puck free in the Steelheads' (12-5) defensive zone and sprung Rallo. The shorthanded goal was the club's second of that variety in the playoffs and Burt's first game-winner helping secure the 2007 Bruce Taylor Trophy, awarded to the National Conference Champions.

With a four-games-to-one series victory, the Steelheads will await the winner of the American Conference Finals. The Dayton Bombers currently lead the Florida Everblades three-games-to-two, via a 4-2 win at home tonight. Game Six of that series is on Thursday, May 17 and Game One of the Kelly Cup Finals will be played on Wednesday, May 23 at the arena of the higher seed based on regular season point totals.

In the waning minutes of regulation and the Steelheads leading 3-2, the Aces' were awarded a penalty shot after Wight closed his hand on the puck in the Steelheads' crease. Julian Talbot took the attempt for the Aces and his snap shot was snared by the glove of Steelheads' netminder Steve Silverthorn (24 saves) to keep the home team in front. With Gustafson pulled for an extra attacker, the Aces had a few final chances, but they couldn't beat Silverthorn who picked up his ECHL-leading 12th postseason win.

For the first time in this series, the Aces scored first, on an even-strength goal by Justin Bourne at 5:02. Off a Steelheads' defensive turnover, Julian Talbot threw the puck from the right wing wall and into the slot where Justin Bourne fired a quick shot past Silverthorn for his third of the playoffs.

However, just 38 seconds later the Steelheads tied the game with Rallo netting his third of the playoffs. On the play, John Lammers carried the puck into the Aces' zone and took a shot that Gustafson stopped, but Derek Nesbitt got a piece of the rebound as the puck then bounced free for Rallo. Rallo's shot squeaked through the right arm of Gustafson to tie the tilt at one.

The deadlocked first frame featured several great saves by both goaltenders and a six-minute power play for the Steelheads, two minutes of which was five-on-three action. Those advantages came mainly courtesy of 16 minutes in penalties by Aces' defenseman Zack FitzGerald. Through one period the Steelheads out-shot the Aces, 12-5.

In the second period the Steelheads wasted little time, scoring less than a minute into the frame, and just seconds after a power play expired to take a 2-1 lead. Tuomas Mikkonen collected the marker from the slot, as Lance Galbraith sent a pass from behind the Aces' net hitting Mikkonen who was wide open in front. Rallo grabbed the second assist on Mikkonen's third of the playoffs and his second of the series.

Mike Scott evened the game for the visitors with a one-timer from the blue line that beat Silverthorn inside the left post at 6:42. Joe Talbot and Barrett Heisten drew the helpers on Scott's sixth, which came on the power play.

Through two periods, the game was tied and the Steelheads led in shots 22-16.

The final shots ended 36-26 in favor of the Steelheads, with the Steelheads going zero-for-eight on the power play and two-for-three on the penalty kill. Rallo finished with a playoff-career high, three points helping the Steelheads to a 6-3 home mark.

Tickets for the Kelly Cup Finals at Qwest Arena will go on sale shortly and can be purchased by calling (208) 331-TIXS, by visiting http://www.idahosteelheads.com (using the print-at-home feature) or by checking out the Qwest Arena box office.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

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ECHL Stories from May 15, 2007


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