ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads snap Grizzlies' streak, 7-4

November 26, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Winger Garett Bembridge notched a hat trick, leading the Steelheads to a convincing 7-4 victory over the Utah Grizzlies at Qwest Arena in front of a sellout crowd of 5,236 on Friday night. The win snapped the Grizzlies (11-4-0, 22 pts.) nine-game winning streak and allowed the Steelheads (11-3-1, 23 pts.) to regain first place in the West Division.

Bembridge, the ECHL's leading scorer with 27 points, scored a goal in each period to pick up the Steelheads first hat trick of the season. He also added three assists for a six-point effort, a season-high for the Steelheads.

Center David Bararuk opened the game's scoring just 61-seconds into the contest with his eighth goal of the season. Bararuk fired a one-timer from the left point that went top shelf over the glove hand side of Grizzlies' netminder Justin Eddy. Defenseman Jim Hakewill and Bembridge assisted on the goal.

Mike Stutzel made it 2-0 in favor of the home team at 7:28 of the first stanza when he buried a loose puck over Eddy for a power play goal. Bararuk picked up the lone assist.

The Grizzlies answered at 9:01 of the frame on Garett Cameron's second goal in as many games. Anthony Battaglia got the only helper on the even-strength marker.

After one period, the Steelheads held a 2-1 lead, despite trailing 15-11 in shots.

Bembridge got his 10th of the season at 4:22 of the second period with Stutzel and defenseman Jonathan Zion contributing the assists.

Marty Flichel made it 4-1 just 57-seconds later with assists going to forward Justin Cox and rookie center Kevin Gardner. For Gardner, it was his first professional point, as he was making his pro debut tonight.

In the third period, the two teams traded goals three separate times, with Bembridge tallying an empty-net goal in the game's final minute to complete the hat trick.

The final shots were 41-31 in favor of the Grizzlies, who lost for the first time in November. With the win, the Steelheads improved to 6-2-1 in West Division play and 5-2-0 on home ice. They also jump to a perfect 10-0-0 when scoring more than three goals in a contest. Tonight's seven-goal outburst tied a season-high for goals in a game.

The two teams face off again tomorrow night at Qwest Arena. The puck drops at 7:10 pm.

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ECHL Stories from November 26, 2005


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