Steelheads game one on tonight
April 27, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The Pacific Division Champion Idaho Steelheads and the Central Division Champion Gwinnett Gladiators will meet for the first time tonight on the Gladiators' ice as each team edges a little closer in the quest for the ECHL's Kelly Cup. Before getting to the Kelly Cup Finals though, one of the teams will have to win this best-of-five Western Conference Finals. Through two rounds of playoffs, each team has a record of 6-3.
Gwinnett's regular season 92 points (42-22-8) earned the Gladiators the higher seed in the series and the home ice advantage over Idaho (89 points, 40-23-9). Games 1 and 2 will be played at The Arena at Gwinnett Center (Duluth, Georgia) on Tuesday, April 27th and Wednesday, April 28th. Game 3 will be played at Idaho's Bank of America Centre on Saturday, May 1st and, Game 4 if necessary, on Wednesday, May 5th. If a Game 5 is necessary, the teams will return to play in Georgia; date and time to be announced.
GAME 1, ROUND 3: Idaho Steelheads @ Gwinnett Gladiators, Tuesday, April 27th - 5:35 p.m. MDT
PLAYOFFS HEAD-TO-HEAD:
RECORD: Idaho is 6-3; 3-1 at home and 3-2 on the road. Gwinnett is 6-3; 3-1 at home and 3-2 on the road.
SCORING FIRST: Idaho is 6-1 when scoring first, 4-0 when leading after the first period, and 5-1 when leading after the second period. Gwinnett is 3-1 when scoring first; 1-0 when leading after the first period, and 4-1 when leading after the second period.
TRAILING: Idaho is 0-1 when trailing after the first period and 0-1 when trailing after the second. Gwinnett is 2-1 when trailing after the first period and 2-2 when trailing after the second.
GOALS FOR AND AGAINST: Idaho has scored an average of 3 goals per game (T4) while allowing 2 goals per game against (T1). Gwinnett has scored an average of 2.78 goals per game (6) and allowed 2.56 against (6). When outshooting its opponent, Idaho is 4-3; Gwinnett is 2-2.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
POWER PLAY: Idaho is 5 for 32 -15.6% (10); Gwinnett is 8 for 43 - 18.6% (3).
PENALTY KILL: Idaho has allowed 2 in 31- 93.5% (3); Gwinnett has allowed 6 in 49 - 87.8% (4).
IN THE NET: Dan Ellis is 6-1 in postseason action this year, and has a league-leading 1.57 goals-against-average. Ellis' 9.44 save percentage ranks second in the league and he leads in shutouts with 2. Gwinnett's Michael Garnett is 6-2, with a 2.55 goals-against and 9.33 save percentage.
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Idaho's regular season scoring leader Jan Kopecky is tied with Lance Galbraith for the team lead in points with 9 apiece (5 goals, 4 assists)...The duo ranks 6th overall in ECHL postseason scoring. Gwinnett has a couple of hot rookies leading the way...Kris Goodjon is tops with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) and Chris Durno has notched 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists), ranking them second and third respectively in rookie scorers.
LISTEN UP OR WATCH OUT: The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 1350 KTIK-The Ticket with Britt Talbert calling all the action. Fans can also watch all the action by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com to link to the live Webcast ($6.00 per view). Fans can come to The Zone at the Bank of America Centre to watch both Games 1 and 2 and enjoy Kelly Cup Combo food specials and $2.00 draft beers starting at 5:00 p.m. Entry to The Zone is free.
FIRST ROUND RECAP: PACIFIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS:
In the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs Idaho overcame a two-games-to-none deficit with the Las Vegas Wranglers and went on to win the final three games (one in overtime, and two in shutouts with Ellis in net) to take the best-of-five series. Idaho, the third seeded team in the division, was not the only team to beat the odds, as the fourth seeded Aces stunned the regular season champion San Diego Gulls knocking the Brabham Cup winners out of the playoffs with a three-game sweep. (Gm.1-L2-4; Gm.2-L2-3; Gm.3-W2-0; Gm.4-W4-3 OT; Gm.5-W3-0)
SECOND ROUND RECAP: PACIFIC DIVISION FINALS:
The Idaho Steelheads and Alaska Aces opened the ECHL's Pacific Division Finals in Boise on April 16th, with Idaho dropping the first game 4-3 in overtime. The two teams played again the following night and Idaho evened the series with a 4-1 win. Games 3 and 4 moved to Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Idaho took the series lead in a 4-1 victory handing the Aces its first playoff loss at home. Idaho eliminated Alaska in Game 4 with a 3-2 victory.
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