ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Fall by One in Front of Sellout Crowd

February 23, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Igor Bobkov kept six of seven shooters out of the net in a game-ending shootout as the Utah Grizzlies edged the Idaho Steelheads, 4-3, in front of a sellout crowd of 5,347 fans at CenturyLink Arena in Boise.

It was the third sellout of the season for Idaho (27-18-7) and the second consecutive Saturday where the Steelheads played in front of a capacity crowd. It also marks the seventh one-goal game in 11 matchups between Idaho and Utah.

Idaho drew first blood at the 5:29 mark of the first when Tyler Elbrecht blasted a shot from the top of the left-wing circle past Bobkov, his first professional goal, to give the Steelheads at 1-0 lead. Tallies from Michael Pelech and Vincent Scarsella gave the visitors a 2-1 lead after one, but Idaho would tie things up at 4:34 of the second period when Ryan Button found the back of the net. His fifth of the season was assisted by Tommy Grant and Anthony Nigro to even the score at 2-2. It also extended Button's point streak to eight consecutive games.

Teagan Zahn gave Utah a one-goal lead going into the third period with a goal late in the second but, once again, the Steelheads would answer. At the 4:54 mark of the third period, Rob Linsmayer poked home Matt Walters' point shot, his tenth goal of the season. It's the fourth goal in the past six games for the rookie out of Holy Cross.

Idaho continued to press over the last ten minutes of regulation, but could not find the go-ahead goal. Idaho's Brock Montgomery appeared to be clipped with a high stick late in regulation, which would have put Idaho on the power play, but no call was made, keeping the teams at even strength. The Steelheads added a pair of good rushes in the overtime session but, again, could not score.

In the game-ending shootout. Idaho's Josh Watson made a pair of tremendous saves, including a glove-save robbery on Pelech in the fourth round, as the shootout was tied at one marker apiece after five rounds. After a Utah tally to take the lead in the seventh round, Bobkov got a piece of Tommy Grant's snap shot to end the game.

Watson stopped 34 of 37 shots during live play and five of seven in the game-ending shootout. Bobkov was the winner, stopping 24 of 27 during live play and then six of seven during the shootout. Neither team scored on the power play, either. Idaho was 0-2 on the man-advantage while the team's penalty-kill unit was a perfect 4-for-4.

Idaho remains at home Wednesday night, hosting the Alaska Aces on Fred Meyer "Kids Eat Free" Night. Visit www.idahosteelheads.com for more information on the "Kids Eat Free" promotion and to purchase tickets.

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ECHL Stories from February 23, 2014


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