Steelheads Handed Fourth Straight Loss As RoadRunners Win 4-3
Published on December 6, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Two late goals in regulation weren't enough, as the Steelheads fell to the Phoenix RoadRunners, 4-3, extending their season-high losing streak to four games in front of 3,832 fans at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night.
All of the team's losses during the skid have come on home ice, the first time in franchise history (WCHL & ECHL) that the Steelheads (11-7-1-1) have dropped four consecutive contests in Boise. The RoadRunners (11-9-0-0), meanwhile, snap a two-game losing streak as they move within two points of the Steelheads for first place in the West Division.
The visitors struck first with a power play goal at 3:17 of the first period. Defenseman Alexandre Rouleau sent a long outlet pass to the Steelheads' blue line where center Brett Smith gathered and deked around Steelheads' forward Derek Nesbitt before beating Steve Silverthorn (22 saves) with a backhander. That goal extended Smith's goal scoring streak to five games, while the RoadRunners converted on the power play for the 11th straight game.
At 12:59 of the first period Rouleau netted his team's second power play goal of the night, which was his fifth goal of the season. Scott May got the only assist on the five-on-three tally. The RoadRunners then made it 3-0 on Brock Hooton's second goal of the year at 16:31. Defenseman Jake Ortmeyer gathered one helper, while Olivier Latendresse got the other.
With 1:18 left in the first period, the Steelheads got on the board with Greg Rallo contributing his eighth of the season. After Marty Flichel's initial shot was stopped by RoadRunners' goaltender Mike Morrison (27 saves), Rallo found the rebound and sent a spinning shot into the net. That goal was Rallo's first point on home ice this season.
The only goal in the second period came with 54 seconds left, as the RoadRunners took a 4-1 lead. With the Steelheads on a five-on-three power play, May broke in alone on Silverthorn and beat him with a snap shot for his 11th goal of the year. Paul Ballantyne drew the only assist.
Through two periods, the Steelheads were out-shooting the RoadRunners 19-11.
The Steelheads made it 4-2 on rookie forward Taggart Desmet's second of the season at 14:27. Nesbitt carried the puck in on the left wing side before feeding it to the top of the crease where Desmet tipped it over Morrison.
With 1:55 left in the match and Silverthorn at the bench for an extra attacker, D'Arcy McConvey made the score 4-3 off a scramble in front of Morrison. Scott Burt and Francis Wathier were credited with the assists on McConvey's first of the campaign.
The Steelheads would get no closer, as Morrison stopped Wathier from the slot in the closing seconds, preserving the victory. The finals shots favored the Steelheads, 30-26. The Steelheads ended the night one-for-12 on the power play, while the RoadRunners went two-for-14.
This three-game series continues on Thursday, December 7. The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. MST. The Steelheads will be wearing special 10th Anniversary jerseys throughout the series, with a jersey auction taking place on Saturday, December 9 to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association. Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com 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.
ECHL Stories from December 6, 2006
