Sports stats



ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Hammer Thunder in Wichita

March 2, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder
(Idaho Steelheads)

Wichita, KS (3/2/18)- Justin Parizek scored two of Idaho's three power play goals and Michael Neville netted the first of his professional career, as the Idaho Steelheads (33-18-6) blitzed the Wichita Thunder (29-23-6) on Friday night for a 5-2 win at INTRUST Bank Arena.

The Steelheads outshot the Thunder by a 21-7 margin in the first period on their way to a 3-0 lead, converting early and often against Wichita goaltender Shane Starrett.

Parizek opened the scoring at 8:33 of the first period on a power play one-timer from the left face-off dot, beating Starrett to the blocker off of a cross-ice feed from Cole Ully for his 22nd goal of the season. At 12:34 the power play struck again when Jefferson Dahl fed Parizek at the left face-off dot for another one-timer, one that Starrett stopped but was finished by Brady Brassart for his 18th goal and a 2-0 Steelheads lead.

Just 1:09 later, Parizek again had the puck in the offensive zone, carrying it out to the blue line before flinging a wrister on goal. With Parizek carrying the puck out to the point himself, defenseman Shane Hanna snuck down to the front of the net and was there to bury the rebound for his fifth goal of the season.

Parizek would open the second period with another power play goal at 3:37, his 23rd of the year on a wrist shot from the left circle past Starrett. Parizek recorded his first career four-point game and matched a Steelheads season-high with eleven shots on goal.

The Thunder would break through at 8:01 of the second period when Kevin Dufour's shot from the high slot deflected off of Corbin Baldwin's stick and over Philippe Desrosiers' shoulder to make it 4-1, Dufour's 17th goal of the year. Travis Brown brought the Thunder closer with a shorthanded goal at 12:38, his tenth of the season off a 2-on-1 rush.

The Steelheads stopped the bleeding 36 seconds after the Brown goal, with Neville wiring a one-timer from the high slot off an AJ White feed for his first professional goal in his second professional game.

At the end of the second period, Wichita's Travis Ewanyk drew attention after a late hit on Cole Ully, which drew no penalty. Ewanyk would engage three times in the third period with Steelheads defenseman Aaron Harstad, with the duo first receiving matching double-minors for roughing. In their first shift out of the penalty box, they dropped the gloves for fighting majors. Upon escaping the box after their majors, they immediately fought again at the next faceoff.

Ewanyk was a member of the Steelheads last season. He was traded to Fort Wayne for Brady Vail, who was immediately dealt to the Norfolk Admirals for Harstad.

Desrosiers made 26 saves to earn his 23rd win of the season, appearing in his ninth consecutive game.

The Steelheads are now eight points clear of the third-place Thunder in the Mountain Division.

The Steelheads and Thunder meet for the fourth and final time this season on Sunday afternoon at INTRUST Bank Arena. Puck-drop is scheduled for 3:05pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK and on ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS:

Goals: Parizek (22,23), Brassart (18), Hanna (5), Neville (1)

Philippe Desrosiers: 26 saves on 28 shots

Power Play: 3-for-6

Penalty Kill: 6-for-6

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Justin Parizek IDH

2. Brady Brassart IDH

3. Travis Brown WCH

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Justin Parizek: 2 power play goals, 2 assists, 11 shots

PLAY OF THE GAME:

The Thunder made a push to get back into the game with back-to-back goals midway through the second period to make it 4-2, but Michael Neville turned the momentum back in Idaho's favor with his first professional goal. After Travis Brown's shorthanded goal, the Steelheads remained on the power play. Eric Sweetman's point shot produced a rebound that hopped over AJ White's stick, but White recovered to force a turnover on a failed clearing attempt by Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin. At the left circle, White fed Neville in the high slot for a one-timer and a 5-2 Steelheads lead.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics




Images from this story

Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Wichita Thunder
   



ECHL Stories from March 2, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central