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STEELHEADS: Rapid City Sweep - Steelheads Finish Road Trip 7-1-0

March 5, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


STEELHEADS: Rapid City Sweep - Steelheads Finish Road Trip 7-1-0
STEELHEADS: Rapid City Sweep - Steelheads Finish Road Trip 7-1-0
(Idaho Steelheads)

Rapid City, SD (3/4/17)- For the second consecutive night, the Idaho Steelheads (33-18-7) overcame a one-goal third period deficit with three unanswered tallies of their own, as Brian Nugent's second goal of the night held up as the game-winner in a 4-2 win over the Rapid City Rush (21-29-8) on Saturday night at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The victory gave the Steelheads their second three-game series sweep on the eight-game road trip, the team finishing their longest excursion of the season with a 7-1-0 record.

For the second time in his last four contests, Nugent tallied twice. With the game tied 2-2 at 6:35 of the third period, Kellan Lain fed Nugent in front for a one-timer and his second goal of the night. As Nugent released the shot, Rush goaltender Adam Morrison kicked the net off the moorings. The goal was allowed to stand for Nugent's seventh of the season. Rapid City coach Mark DeSantis was ejected from the game for protesting the ruling.

Rob Linsmayer also had a two-goal effort for Idaho, scoring his 12th of the season into an empty net with 23 seconds remaining to secure the win.

Linsmayer's first goal of the game came at 4:11 of the third period. Rush defenseman Mike Monfredo fell down in the neutral zone, allowing the Steelheads to break in on an odd-man rush. Kyle Jean's saucer pass from the right wing found Linsmayer for a quick wrist shot past Morrison to tie the game 2-2.

Branden Komm stopped 16 shots in the second period and 15 shots in the third to earn his second straight win, moving to 13-11-3 on the season. Komm made several important stops in the closing minutes, including a diving stop on a rebound chance in close to rob Logan Nelson. Komm also fought through traffic to stop point shots from Michael Young and Anthony Mastrodicasa in the closing minutes.

The Rush struck twice on the power play in the first period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. At 7:10 of the first, a failed Steelheads clear up the middle of the ice was held at the blue line by Rush defenseman Riley Weselowski. His high-slot wrist shot was deflected off the crossbar and in by Nelson, his ninth goal of the season to give Rapid City a 1-0 lead.

At 15:16 of the first period, the Rush power play struck again. Kyle Jean and Andre Morrissette got caught up ice, yielding a 3-on-2 rush for Rapid City. Ryan Walters snapped a shot from the right dot that beat Branden Komm over the shoulder for a 2-0 Rush lead. The goal was Walters' 25th of the season

Entering the game, Idaho had allowed just one goal on its previous 35 penalty kills over a ten-game span.

Nugent would get Idaho on the board at 16:48 of the first, stopping a point shot form Aaron Harstad at the top of the crease and spinning it in behind

Morrison to make it 2-1.

The Steelheads have won four consecutive games, tied for their longest winning streak of the season and the third time they have taken eight consecutive points. Idaho has also won nine of its past 11 games overall.

The Steelheads return home to CenturyLink Arena to host the Cincinatti Cyclones next Friday, the first of two meetings between the teams and Cincinatti's first visit to Boise since the 2010 Kelly Cup Final. Friday's puck-drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK and on ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS:

Goals: Nugent (6,7); Linsmayer (11,12)

Branden Komm: 37 saves on 39 shots

Power Play: 0-for-3

Penalty Kill: 3-for-5

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Rob Linsmayer IDH

2. Anthony Luciani IDH

3. Ryan Walters RCR

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Brian Nugent: 2 goals, 4 shots, plus-2 rating

PLAY OF THE GAME:

The Steelheads took the lead on a play generated by yet another face-off win by Kellan Lain. Lain's draw came back to Anthony Luciani, whose shot missed the net. The Steelheads stayed with it, and Lian found Brian Nugent in front of the net for a quick shot and a Steelheads lead as Adam Morrison kicked the net off the pegs. To the frustration of the Rush, the goal would stand and the Steelheads would have their first lead, a lead they would never surrender. Nugent now has six goals and eight points in his last ten games for the Steelheads.

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STEELHEADS: Rapid City Sweep - Steelheads Finish Road Trip 7-1-0
STEELHEADS: Rapid City Sweep - Steelheads Finish Road Trip 7-1-0
   



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