ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Furious Comeback Derailed In Overtime, 5-4

April 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - Despite erasing a three-goal deficit after two periods and a two-goal lead with less than three minutes left, the Steelheads fell in overtime to the Las Vegas Wranglers, 5-4, in front of 4,050 fans at Qwest Arena on Friday night. The Steelheads now lead the best-of-seven, West Division Semi-Finals, two games to one.

Steelheads' forward Aaron Slattengren gave the puck away to Wranglers' forward Chris Neiszner and Neiszner fed Todd Alexander who slipped the puck between the legs of Matt Yeats (20 saves) at 6:07 of the sudden death overtime to extend the series to at least five games.

The Steelheads rally began at 9:30 of the third period, when Dan Hacker muscled a shot through traffic and past Mike McKenna (38 saves) to make the score 3-1. Veteran forward Scott Burt and defenseman Tyler Kindle assisted on the shorthanded goal. Just 11 seconds later, Garett Bembridge found a loose puck in the Wranglers' zone and ripped a shot under the crossbar to cut the deficit to one. The goal was Bembridge's second of the playoffs and the club's third shorthanded goal of the series.

Neiszner gave the visitors some insurance with 2:36 remaining in the third period, with an even-strength goal. Neiszner stripped Steelheads' defenseman Jarad Bourassa of the puck as he was coming out of the Steelheads' zone and he made a move around Yeats before backhanding the puck into the net.

However, the Steelheads would fight back. In a four-on-four situation, David Bararuk scored his second of the series with 1:37 left to make the score 4-3. Thirty seconds later and still on a four-on-four, Bembridge got his second of the night, and the contest was even at four. Hacker assisted on both goals. Bembridge also got an assist on Bararuk's goal, while Bararuk got the second assist on Bembridge's equalizer.

After a scoreless final minute in regulation, the two teams headed to overtime for the second time in three games. In the extra session, the Wranglers out-shot the Steelheads four to three.

Early in the first period, the Wranglers took their first lead of the series, opening the game's scoring at 5:17. Steve Crampton found a loose puck in the crease that Yeats appeared to lose sight of, and Crampton swept it into the empty net for his first of the postseason. Matt Dzieduszycki and Dan Tudin drew the assists.

The Wranglers took a two-goal advantage later in the stanza with the first of two goals by Tudin. At 14:18, he struck even-strength with Crampton getting the only helper. Minutes later on the power play, Tudin struck again, making it 3-0. Off a shot from the top of the slot, the puck bounced off some bodies in front before Tudin gloved it down and pushed it into an empty net. Christian Chartier and Dzieduszycki assisted on his second of the playoffs.

There was no scoring in the second period. Through 40 minutes, the Steelheads were out-shooting the Wranglers 22-17, despite trailing by three. Late in the second period, Steelheads' forward Marty Flichel received a major for spearing and a game misconduct, as he was ejected at 14:07 of the frame.

After regulation, the shots were 39-21 in favor of the Steelheads. For the match, the Steelheads went zero-for 11 on the power play, while the Wranlgers finished one-for-seven.

Game four of this series is Saturday, April 15. The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. MST. Don't forget Steelheads fans, Kelly Cup playoff tickets are on sale now! Call 331-TIXS or visit any Select-A-Seat location to get your seats for the West Division Semi-Finals. The Steelheads play at home on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15. All the action can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 AM, "The Ticket," beginning approximately 20 minutes before the drop of the puck.

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