ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Score Early and Often in 9-5 Win over Las Vegas

January 27, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, Idaho - Nine goals, six of which came via the man advantage, helped the Steelheads thump the Las Vegas Wranglers, 9-5, in front of 4,427 fans at Qwest Arena on Friday night.

Nine skaters recorded multiple points in the victory and eight different Steelheads found the back of the net, as the Steelheads (23-14-3) improved to 11-9-2 on home ice and 14-7-3 in West Division play. Despite the loss, the Wranglers (30-7-4) still lead the West Division by one point over Alaska (63 points) and 15 points over the Steelheads.

The Steelheads took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Veteran forward Scott Burt scored for the first time in 19 games, tapping in a loose puck from the Wranglers' crease. Rookie forward Dan Hacker, playing in his first professional game, registered the first assist and defenseman Jarad Bourassa got the second assist. Hacker then set up Kurt MacSweyn's third goal of the season at 14:10 of the stanza to make it 2-0. Hacker sent an aerial pass to MacSweyn who redirected the puck past goaltender Marc Magliarditi (23 saves). Burt drew the other helper.

With only 13 seconds left in the first period, D'Arcy McConvey struck on the power play, wristing a shot past Magliarditi's blocker to give the Steelheads a 3-0 lead. Defenseman Tyler Kindle got the only assist.

Just 34 seconds into the middle frame, the Wranglers would tally as Chris Stanley picked up an even-strength goal, his 19th of this season. Captain Mike McBain drew the lone assist.

McConvey's second of the evening began a four-goal barrage for the home team, as they would lead 7-1 with just under four minutes left in the second period. After McConvey's even-strength tally, the Steelheads netted three consecutive power play goals, with Garett Bembridge, Bourassa and Kindle all finding the back of the net.

However, the Wranglers would not go quietly. The ECHL's best team entering tonight's tilt caught fire to score three times in just 2:40. Dan Tudin scored at 16:42, Steve Crampton found twine at 18:48 of the frame and just 34 seconds after Crampton's marker, Thomas Bellemare made it a one-goal game.

In the third period the Steelheads banged home two more power play goals, off the sticks of David Bararuk and Mike Stutzel. The visitors countered with a goal by Steve Shochneck to make it 9-5.

The nine goals scored is a season-high for the Steelheads, and a season-high for Wranglers opponent this season. In fact, the Wranglers had not allowed more than five goals this year and their opponents had only scored more than three goals, four times, before tonight. The Steelheads six power play goals also broke a season record. The 14 combined goals is one off the ECHL record for the 2005-2006 campaign, while the Steelheads nine markers ties a season high for the ECHL.

The final shots were 32-23 in favor of the victors, as the Steelheads held their opposition to under 25 shots for the fourth straight match. Matt Yeats earned his 13th win of the season, while Magliarditi (18-6-3) took the loss.

Game two of this three-game series is on Saturday, January 28. Faceoff is at 7:10 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket" beginning approximately 20 minutes prior to the drop of the puck.

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ECHL Stories from January 27, 2006


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