ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Handle Wranglers 3-1

February 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Three, second period goals, including two on the power play, helped the Steelheads to a convincing 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Wranglers in front of a sold out crowd of 5,119 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.

Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn was forced to make just 15 saves for the win to lift the Steelheads (27-19-2-2) to a season-high, nine games over .500. The Steelheads picked up five of a possible six points in the three game series, as the Wranglers (28-10-6-6) see their unbeaten streak end at eight games. The victory also helps the Steelheads to a 5-1-0-1 mark in their last seven contests.

After a scoreless first period, the Steelheads second period onslaught began just 64 seconds into the stanza. On a five-on-three advantage, J.B. Bittner took a back door feed from Lance Galbraith and swept the puck past Wranglers' goaltender Kevin Nastiuk (28 saves) for a 1-0 lead. Defenseman Darrell Hay recorded his first of two; second period assists on the play.

Then at 5:34, Colin Shields potted an even-strength marker to put the Steelheads in front 2-0. Tuomas Mikkonen and Travis Wight set up Shields 12th of the year and his fifth since joining the club.

With less than four minutes left in the frame it became a 3-0 game on a power play goal by Taggart Desmet. The rookie forward's eighth of the year came off assists by Galbraith and Hay. With the Steelheads maintaining puck possession in the Wranglers' zone, Desmet came off the bench and into the high slot where Galbraith set him up for a one-timer that he blistered just inside the right post.

Through two periods the Steelheads were out-shooting the Wranglers 22-10, thanks in large part to just two, second period shots for the visitors.

The Wranglers got on the board at 7:09 of the third period on a power play goal by defenseman Aaron Power. Power crept into the high slot and one-timed a Joe Tallari feed past Silvethorn for his seventh of the campaign. Winger Marco Peluso drew the other assist on the final goal of the evening.

For the game, the Steelheads out-shot the Wranglers 31-16. The home team finished the night two-for-six on the power play, while the Wranglers went one-for-six. Silverthorn's 23rd victory of the year gives sets a new career-high for the second-year pro. Nastiuk, who was unbeaten in his last six contests, falls to 11-7-3-2.

The Steelheads now head out for an afternoon tilt on the road, as they take on the Utah Grizzlies on Monday, February 19. The puck drops at 2:00 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from February 17, 2007


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