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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Salvage Standings Point in OT Loss

March 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID (3/9/2015) - Josh Currie's back-hand shot from the bottom of the left-wing circle snuck between Henri Kiviaho and the near post in overtime Monday night as the Bakersfield Condors defeated the Idaho Steelheads, 4-3, snapping Idaho's team-record nine-game winning streak.

In ten matchups this season with Bakersfield, it was the eighth decided by one goal and fifth to go to overtime or a shootout. By forcing overtime, Idaho (38-16-5, 81 points) did gain one point in the standings and now stands two points ahead of Colorado in the ECHL's Pacific Division standings.

Idaho scored early when Jefferson Dahl and David deKastrozza teamed up to win a battle near the right point of the offensive zone. deKastrozza quickly shoveled a pass to a streaking Wade MacLeod, who carried the puck in alone and snapped a shot from the hashmarks past the blocker of Bakersfield's Max Lagace to make it 1-0 at the 3:29 mark of the first. The goal was MacLeod's team-leading 28th of the season, eleven of which have come in Idaho's last 14 games.

Bakersfield tied it early in the second on a Jonathan Lessard power-play goal, just 50 seconds into the middle frame. Idaho's Brett Robinson was awarded a penalty shot near the midway point of the second, but his attempt glanced off Lagace's shoulder and sailed over the crossbar to keep the game tied.

The 1-1 tie held until the 5:30 mark of the third period when Nick Pageau's centering pass from his knees off the rush set up Currie for the go-ahead goal, but the Steelheads responded quickly. Just 28 seconds later, Alex Belzile gathered a loose puck near the right point of the offensive zone and spun the puck toward the net. Devin DiDiomete was near the top of the crease and stuffed the puck home at 5:28 to tie the game, 2-2. Then, just over a minute later, an Andrew Radjenovic shot from the top of the right circle appeared to handcuff Idaho goaltender Henri Kiviaho, finding its way into the net at 7:18 to give the Condors the one-goal lead back at 3-2.

From there, the Steelheads turned up the pressure as the Condors fought to hold on to the one-goal lead. Idaho out-shot the Condors, 17-4, in the third period but Bakersfield still led into the final minute. Head Coach Brad Ralph pulled goaltender Henri Kiviaho in favor of an extra attacker and it paid off with less than 30 seconds to go when a Jason Bast shot from the right edge of the crease glanced off the skate of Bakersfield defenseman Brandon Nash and rolled into the net, tying the game at 3-3. Bast's 27th goal of the season ensured Idaho's unbeaten-in-regulation streak reached a season-best ten games.

Idaho controlled puck possession for most of the first half of overtime, but Pageau was able to chip the puck out of the zone in front of the benches to begin a rush up the ice that Currie finished with a backhander that squeezed between Kiviaho and the near post at 2:47 - Bakersfield's first shot of the overtime session - to end the game.

The Steelheads put 34 pucks on net over the final two periods and overtime en route to out-shooting the Condors, 42-18, but Bakersfield's Max Lagace played well, stopping 39 shots in the win. Kiviaho allowed four goals on 18 shots to take his first loss in net since January 31 in Ontario. There were just two power plays in the entire game, Bakersfield converted theirs while Idaho did not.

Idaho's homestand concludes Wednesday when the Bakersfield Condors make their final visit to Boise. It's another Bud Light "Dollar Beer Night" with small beers costing just one dollar through the end of the second period. Game time is 7:10 PM. Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling 208-331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Wade MacLeod (G)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:

1) Jason Bast (ID)

2) Devin DiDiomete (ID)

3) Nick McNeil (BAK)

Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.

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