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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Extend Unbeaten Streak But Fall To Wranglers 3-2 In Shootout

February 28, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Wranglers' winger Marco Peluso scored the deciding goal in the shootout, as the Steelheads fell 3-2 on Tuesday night from Orleans Arena, marking the sixth, one-goal contest between the two clubs this season.

The shootout loss helps the Steelheads (30-18-2-3) remain unbeaten in eight contests, which is the longest such streak under the tenure of second-year head coach Derek Laxdal. Meanwhile, the Wranglers (31-10-6-7) are now unbeaten in their last 10 home games.

Heading into the final round of the shootout, both teams had tallied once, with Taggart Desmet scoring for the Steelheads and Shawn Limpright tallying for the home team. Wranglers' goaltender Mike McKenna (30 saves) then turned aside the Steelheads' second-leading scorer, Derek Nesbitt, to set up Peluso's chance. After deking Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (26 saves), Peluso placed a shot just under the cross bar to hand the Steelheads their third shootout loss of the campaign.

Just 32 seconds into the match, Nesbitt, who had 21 points in his previous 10 contests, put the Steelheads in front 1-0. On the game's first shift, Marty Flichel sent a pass to Lance Galbraith, who partially fanned on a shot from the left wing circles that caromed off McKenna's pads and right to Nesbitt. The reigning In Glas Co ECHL player of the week swept the rebound under McKenna for an even-strength tally, his 22nd of the season.

In a first period that featured three fights, the Steelheads out-shot the Wranglers 12-10 and led 1-0.

The Wranglers tied the contest with an even-strength marker at 2:18 of the second stanza, converting off a Steelheads' defensive zone turnover. Arpad Mihaly gathered a failed clear at the left wing circles and walked into the slot on a two-on-none break, before feeding the puck to Kelly Czuy at the right post. Czuy flipped the puck over a sprawled out Silvethorn for his first goal on home ice and his 10th of the campaign.

Less than four minutes later, Steelheads' defenseman Darrell Hay gave up the puck in his slot and Peluso picked up the loose disc and beat Silverthorn for a shorthanded, unassisted tally and the Wranglers first lead at 2-1.

Steelheads' veteran winger Scott Burt evened the game for the visitors just 37 seconds later, notching his ninth of the season at 6:21. On the power play, Burt retrieved defenseman Kyle Peto's dump-in and flipped the puck from below the goal line in the right wing corner to the front of the Wranglers' net where the puck caromed off Wranglers' defenseman Bryce Thoma's skates and past McKenna.

After a scoreless third period and overtime, it was on to the shootout, where Peluso was the fifth and final shooter for the Wranglers. For the contest, the Steelheads out-shot the Wranglers 32-20. Both teams finished with six power play opportunities, with the Steelheads scoring once.

The Steelheads continue their four-game road trip at the Long Beach Ice Dogs, on Friday, March 2. The puck drops at 8:05 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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