Steelheads Lose to Wranglers, 6-2, as Season Comes to a Close
Published on April 20, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Las Vegas, Nevada - Four goals by the Wranglers in the first period turned out to be enough, as the Steelheads fell 6-2, in Game Seven of the West Division Semi-Finals on Wednesday night at Orleans Arena, ending their 2005-2006 campaign.
With the win, the Wranglers (4-3) move on to the West Division Finals to tangle with the Alaska Aces. The Steelheads (3-4) finish their year with a mark of 46-25-8 including the postseason.
The Wranglers got on the board early in the first with an even-strength goal by defenseman Tim Hambly. Hambly blasted a point shot that Steelheads' goaltender Matt Yeats (5 saves) appeared to lose through a screen at the top of his crease. Fellow defenseman Christian Chartier and Chris Neiszner drew the assists on Hambly's first of the postseason, which came at 1:27.
The visitors answered on Dan Hacker's second of the playoffs. Steelheads' captain D'Arcy McConvey, who was reassigned from the AHL earlier in the day, found Hacker alone at the far post and he slammed the puck past a stunned Marc Magliarditi (29 saves) for his second goal. Marty Flichel also drew an assist on the goal at 2:41 of the first.
Neiszner gave the Wranglers their second lead of the game at 7:42 of the first, with his team-leading fifth of the postseason. Neiszner pumped home a rebound opportunity off Marco Peluso's initial shot. Derek Edwardson also got an assist.
Just 51 seconds later, the Wranglers made it 3-1 on a wrist shot by Matt Dzieduszycki. Dzieduszycki moved into the offensive zone against Steelheads' defenseman Jarad Bourassa, and deked into the slot before firing a shot under the crossbar for his third of the playoffs. Steve Crampton and Scott Schoneck were credited with the assists.
That goal ended the night for Yeats, as he was replaced by rookie Steve Silverthorn (25 saves).
It quickly became 4-1 at 10:09 of the first on a goal by Chris Stanley. Stanley was camped out at the Steelheads' crease, where Charles Linglet found him open. Stanley poked the puck past Silverthorn for his second in as many nights. Todd Alexander drew the second helper.
All of the goals in the first period were even-strength, as the Steelheads trailed by three after 20 minutes of play. The shots favored the Wranglers at 15-10.
The Steelheads climbed back into the contest with a power play goal by Garett Bembridge at 5:34 of the second stanza. Bembridge tipped home Flichel's point shot for his fifth of the series. Tyler Kindle also registered a point on the goal.
After two periods, the Wranglers led 4-2.
In the final period of regulation play, the Wranglers added two empty-net goals to make the score 6-2. Dzieduszycki got the first and Stanley the other in the game's final minutes.
The final shots were 36-31 in favor of the Wranglers.
Fans, for a recap of the Steelheads' season, tune in to the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show on Thursday, April 20. The show will air from 6-7 pm MST on 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket".
ECHL Stories from April 20, 2006
- Two of league's best ever collide in West finals - Alaska Aces
- Wranglers meet Aces in second round of Kelly Cup Playoffs - Las Vegas Wranglers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Bararuk named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week - Idaho Steelheads
- Falcons' Holden Named Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender Of The Week - ECHL
- Lynx score goal with new ownership - Augusta Lynx
- Gladiators Prepare for Division Finals - Atlanta Gladiators
- Board Approves Sale Of Augusta Lynx - ECHL
- Drew off to Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- Idaho's Bararuk Named In Glas Co ECHL Player Of The Week - ECHL
- North Division finals preview - Wheeling Nailers
- Titans and budding artist combine for charitable effort - Trenton Devils
- Condors Put Ice Dogs On the Ropes with 4-1 Victory in Game Five - Bakersfield Condors
- Wranglers beat Steelheads 6-2, advance to second round - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Steelheads Lose to Wranglers, 6-2, as Season Comes to a Close - Idaho Steelheads
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