ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Rally To Notch 4-3 Sudden Death Shootout Victory Over Condors

Published on January 27, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Bakersfield, CA - Marty Flichel earned three points (1g, 2a), as the Steelheads clawed back from a two-goal, third period deficit before Taggart Desmet scored the game-winner in the sudden death shootout propelling the Steelheads to a 4-3 win over the Condors on Saturday night.

A crowd of 6,010 fans watched from Rabobank Arena as Desmet deked Condors' goaltender Michel Robinson (40 saves) and flipped a backhander into the top shelf for the decisive tally, his second shootout goal of the season. The Steelheads (22-13-7) are now 3-0-0 against the Condors (12-20-8) this season and 3-3 in shootouts following their ninth road win of the campaign.

The Condors broke a scoreless tie at 12:37 of the first period on a five-on-five tally by Mark Derlago, marking his sixth straight game with a goal. Taking a feed from Andrew Ianiero outside the crease of Steelheads' goaltender Matt Zaba (38 saves), Derlago slipped the puck through Zaba's five-hole to give the Condors a 1-0 lead. David Kudelka picked up the second helper.

Just 1:19 later the Condors' power play converted to make it 2-0. Controlling the puck in the offensive zone, Tim Konsorada fed the puck to defenseman Kevin Truelson, who fired a right point shot that was deflected in front before glancing off the right pad of Zaba. Condors' captain Sean Venedam found the rebound and swept the puck over the goal line for his 19th career point versus the Steelheads and his 11th goal of the year.

Despite trailing 2-0, the Steelheads out-shot the Condors 13-11 in the opening 20 minutes.

With 11 minutes left in the middle frame the Steelheads cut the deficit to one, off a power goal by Flichel, his second in as many nights. On the play, Lance Galbraith found Kory Scoran at the blue line and he laid the puck over to Flichel, who cranked a one-timer past Robinson for the only marker of the second stanza for either side.

At the eight minute mark of the third period the Condors used a man advantage goal to increase their lead to 3-1. From outside the post to the left of Zaba, Chris Di Ubaldo tucked a shot just underneath the rookie's pads to give him his first goal with the Condors in four contests. Todd Griffith and Ianiero registered the helpers.

The Steelheads found a way to even the score, notching a power play goal on both halves of a five-on-three advantage to make it 3-3 late in the third period. First, it was John Lammers tipping home Flichel's shot at 13:11, with Greg Rallo adding the second assist. Then just 54 seconds later, Galbraith whacked home a loose puck from the side of the crease and after an officials' review, he was awarded his 15th of the season. Flichel completed his three-point night on Galbraith's effort, while Scoran gained his second helper.

The contest headed to a scoreless overtime, with the Steelheads gaining the only six shots. In the shootout, the first two shooters tallied for each team, before a stalemate ensued where neither side scored for the next four rounds. In the seventh round, Griffith fired his chance over the crossbar, thus leading to Desmet's game-winner.

Finishing with 44 shots, a new season high, helped the Steelheads win for the eighth time in their last 10 road games, while moving Zaba's record on the year to 6-4-1. Robinson (4-1-2) suffered the shootout defeat for the home team, who kept their season-best unbeaten streak alive at 4-0-2. The Steelheads ended the night three-for-five on the man advantage, while the Condors went two-for-seven.

The Steelheads return home for a two-game set against the Stockton Thunder beginning on Tuesday, January 29. The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket" or via the B2 Networks. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from January 27, 2008


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