ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads edged by Everblades, 4-3

February 4, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Estero, Florida - Four special teams goals, including three on the power play, aided the Everblades to a 4-3 win over the Steelheads on Saturday night at Germain Arena.

The win allowed the Everblades (27-14-3) to avoid the series sweep, and snap their five-game winless streak. The loss dropped the Steelheads (25-15-5) to 14-6-1 on the road this season.

There was only one goal in the first period, as for the second straight game, the Everblades scored shorthanded. Phil Aucoin converted on a breakaway from the red line for his 12th goal of the season. It appeared that Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (35 saves) had the puck in his equipment, but it squeaked through for the Everblades' third shorthanded goal of the series.

At the first intermission, the Everblades led 1-0 despite being out-shot 17-13. It marked the third straight game the home team led after 20 minutes of play, as the Steelheads failed to score a first period in the three game series.

In the second period, defenseman Jarad Bourassa scored for the sixth time in the last eight games to tie the game at one. His power play goal came at 15:37 of the second stanza. Forwards David Bararuk and Garett Bembridge added the assists on Bourassa's wrist shot that found its way through traffic past Everblades' goaltender Phil Osaer (35 saves).

The Everblades regained the lead on a fluky man advantage marker. Defenseman Corey Neilson fired a slap shot that flew well over the cage of Silverthorn. The puck smacked off the glass behind the Steelheads net and hit their rookie netminder on the back before redirecting over the goal line. Ernie Hartlieb drew the only helper on the goal at 17:23.

In the third period, the Everblades took a two-goal lead converting again on the power play. Chris Lee scroed via the man advantage with Daniel Sisca and Kevin Bergin drawing the assists at 6:48 of the frame. Matt Reid answered for the Steelheads with his second goal of the season at 11:04 of the third, off a scramble in front. Late in regulation, Neilson added his second power play goal of the contest making the score 4-2 to give the home team some breathing room.

With 30 seconds left, D'Arcy McConvey added his 20th of the year to get the Steelheads back to within one. Then as Silverthorn was still at the bench for an extra attacker and with the Steelheads pressing in the closing seconds, the visitors were thwarted from tying the game when a shot from the slot found the crossbar

The final shots were 39-38 in favor of the Everblades, as the Steelhead lost in regulation for the first time in the last six contests.

The Steelheads return home to Qwest Arena on Wednesday, February 8 to begin a three-game series against the Bakersfield Condors. The puck drops in all three tilts at 7:10 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 AM, "The Ticket," beginning approximately 20 minutes before the drop of the puck. For tickets, call 208-331-TIXS.

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ECHL Stories from February 4, 2006


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