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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Keep Ice Dogs In Check, Win 4-1

January 7, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Long Beach, California - Three skaters recorded multiple points, as the Steelheads stymied the Ice Dogs, winning 4-1 at Long Beach Arena on Saturday night.

With the victory, the Steelheads (20-10-2) were able to halt their three-game losing streak, while sending the Ice Dogs (14-15-4) to their third straight loss. The Steelheads are now 4-1-0 this season against the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last year.

The visitors opened the scoring, as for the third straight game, Garett Bembridge tallied for the Steelheads. He continued his torrid pace this season, potting his ECHL leading 27th goal of the season. The power play goal, coming at 14:18 of the first period was assisted by linemates Mike Stutzel and David Bararuk. The man advantage goal snapped the Steelheads one-for-31 slump on the power play. Furthermore, Bembridge's 27th marker is a new ECHL-high for the Steelheads, surpassing Bobby Russell's total of 26 goals from the 2004-2005 campaign.

The Steelheads held a 10-5 shot advantage through one period of play, while leading 1-0.

The Steelheads tacked on two goals in the second period to expand their lead. Defenseman Mike Gabinet tallied his first ECHL goal on a wrist shot from the slot at 6:18. Gabinet's goal was unassisted, as he gloved down the puck just outside the Ice Dogs' blue line and moved into the offensive zone. Gabinet stepped around an Ice Dogs' defenseman and sent a shot into the top right corner of the net.

Gabinet then set up the goal that gave the Steelheads a 3-0 cushion. Bembridge ripped home a one-timer from the slot after a tape-to-tape saucer pass from Gabinet. Stutzel drew his second helper of the night on the goal. The assist gave Gabinet his first multi-point game of the season, while Bembridge's goal gave him his team-leading 14th multiple point effort.

With 2:05 left in the second stanza, Gabinet completed the Gordie Howe hat trick (one goal, one assist and one fight), as he dropped the mitts with Ice Dogs' forward Mike Woodford. It was the Edmonton, Alberta native's first fight of the year.

After 40 minutes of play, the Steelheads held a 22-11 advantage in the shot department.

Ash Goldie scored for the Ice Dogs just 14 seconds into the third period, making it a 3-1 game. However, the home team would get no closer, as Steelheads' goaltender Matt Yeats (10-4-2) would shut the door, finishing with 21 saves.

Stutzel completed his three-point evening, rounding out the scoring with an empty-net goal at 19:17 of the third. Prior to adding his ninth of the season, Stutzel was stuck in a 15-game goal-less drought. Bembridge and forward Scott Burt registered the assists.

The Steelheads return to action on Monday, January 9, as they continue their road trip against the Bakersfield Condors. The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. MST.

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