Steelheads Hold Off 'Runners 5-3

December 22, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


Phoenix, Ariz. - ECHL leading scorer Garrett Bembridge tallied a pair of goals to lead the Idaho Steelheads to a 5-3 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 3,205 at America West Arena in ECHL action Thursday.

Idaho (17-6-2) jumped on the scoreboard first at 8:25 of the opening period. Tyrell Moulton's slap shot from the left point beat a screened RoadRunners goaltender Mike Mole to give the Steelheads a 1-0 lead. The RoadRunners (9-15-2) would counter as Brent Henly from the right-wing circle fired a slap shot past Idaho goaltender Steve Silverthorn at 12:37 to tie the game at 1-1.

The Steelheads netted a pair of goals 2:04 seconds apart in the second period to build a 3-1 lead. Bembridge beat Mole over the right shoulder with a one-time slap shot from the left point at 10:59 on the power play for his first goal of the game and a 2-1 lead. Jonathan Zion gave the Steelheads a two-goal advantage when he accepted D'Arcy McConvey's pass from behind the RoadRunners net in the slot and tucked one by Mole along the ice at 13:03.

The RoadRunners would battle back with a power play goal at 6:35 of the third period. Mark Wires collected Shawn Snider's rebound in front of the cage and tipped the puck past Silverthorn to cut the deficit to 3-2. Marty Flichel regained Idaho's two-goal advantage at 10:33, picking up the rebound of Jarad Bourassa's point shot and sliding it past Mole to make it a 4-2 game. J-F Soucy cut the deficit to 4-3 when he tucked a backhand shot around Silverthorn at 12:25 to bring the RoadRunners back to within a single goal. However, that was the closest Phoenix would get as Bembridge sealed the win with an empty net goal at 19:00 of the third.

Idaho out-shot the RoadRunners 34-22. Mole stopped 29 shots in falling to 5-11-2 on the season. Phoenix went 1-4 on the power play.

Notes: Defenseman Dave Cousineau was placed on the 30-day injured reserve prior to the game...Entering play tonight, Phoenix had lost an ECHL-high 94 man-games due to injury...Idaho scored the opening goal for a 15th consecutive game.

The RoadRunners return to the ice at 8:30PM MST on Friday, December 30 as they travel to Long Beach to face-off against the Ice Dogs. Catch all the action live on News Talk Radio 1100AM KFNX and online at www.phxroadrunners.com through Pro Sports Radio beginning with "RoadRunners Countdown" at 8:10PM.

Stuck without plans on New Year's Eve? Why not ring in 2006 with the Phoenix RoadRunners? The RoadRunners host the Fresno Falcons at 7:11PM on Saturday, December 31 at America West Arena. Celebrate a Family New Year's Eve with noisemakers, balloons, and lots of fun stuff for the kids. For more information or to order tickets, call (602) 462-GOAL or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from December 22, 2005


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