Steelheads' Power Play Explodes In 6-1 Rout Of RoadRunners
January 10, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Phoenix, AZ - Derek Nesbitt and Lance Galbraith each scored twice, and the Steelheads' power play converted four times in their first seven chances helping fuel a 6-1 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners at the US Airways Center on Wednesday night.
Six skaters recorded multiple points in all; as the Steelheads (19-14-1-1) took their second straight game from the RoadRunners (18-16-1-1) to earn their 11th win on the road this year.
The RoadRunners used an individual effort by forward Brock Hooton to get the game's first goal at the 7:58 mark of the opening period. In the RoadRunners' defensive zone, Hooton blocked Steelheads' center Greg Rallo's pass and won the race for the loose puck, which he picked up in the Steelheads' offensive zone. The rookie from St. Cloud State University then beat Steelheads' goaltender John Daigneau (26 saves) with a deke and a backhand for his eighth goal of the season.
However, just 29 seconds later the Steelheads answered with J.B. Bittner's second goal in as many nights and his 13th of the season. Bittner beat RoadRunners' goaltender Mike Morrison (25 saves) on a mini-breakaway, firing the puck five-hole for an unassisted, power play tally.
At 11:40, the Steelheads man advantage struck again when Nesbitt tipped home Marty Flichel's point shot for his 10th of the season. Rallo got the other helper.
Then at 16:19 Rallo netted his 12th extending the lead to 3-1. It was the team's third power play goal of the evening, as Nesbitt feathered a pass from the right circles to the far post where Rallo blasted a one-timer past Morrison. Defenseman Mike Gabinet recorded the second assist.
In the second period, the Steelheads would pad their lead as Galbraith contributed his 12th of the campaign at the 7:03 mark. Winger Colin Shields sent a pass through the neutral zone to Bittner who carried the puck into the offensive zone along the left wing side. Bittner then forced a pass through a RoadRunners' defenseman to Galbraith who ripped the puck from the right circles past Morrison.
The Steelheads took a 5-1 advantage when Nesbitt buried his second of the evening, and second on the power play at 10:26 of the frame. With Nesbitt causing havoc in front, Flichel threw a shot towards the cage that Nesbitt worked past Morrison and into the back of the net. Defenseman Kyle Peto grabbed the other assist, which was the Steelheads' fourth man advantage marker in the contest, equaling a season-high. That goal ended Morrison's night, as he was replaced by Cody Rudkowsky (13 saves).
Through two periods, the shots were 35-20 in favor of the Steelheads.
At 4:56 of the third period, the Steelheads padded their lead some more with Galbraith's second of the evening. It was nearly a carbon copy of his first goal, as Gabinet sent him the puck at the bottom of the right circles and he whipped a one-timer past Rudkowsky. Defenseman Colin Peters grabbed the other assist.
The final shots were 44-27, while the two teams combined for 127 penalty minutes in the contest. Ninety of those penalty minutes went to the RoadRunners, who took 15 penalties in the third period alone, including two majors, two double minors and several misconducts. The Steelheads ended the match with 14 power play chances, which is a new season high, while the RoadRunners went zero-for-three on the man advantage. Daigneau (3-4-0-0) picked up his second road win and third on the season, while Morrison (5-4-0-1) suffers his second straight defeat.
The Steelheads conclude their pre-all-star break schedule on Friday, January 12 on the road against the RoadRunners. Face-off is at 7:11 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets and all-star 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. The 2007 RBK ECHL All-Star Game at Qwest Arena is a two-night event beginning on Tuesday, January 16. Tickets to both events start at just $25.
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