ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Stymied In 3-1 Loss To Falcons

March 9, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - A two-goal, first period deficit was too much to overcome, as the Steelheads fell to the Fresno Falcons, 3-1, on Friday night in front of 3,895 fans at Qwest Arena.

With the defeat, the Steelheads (33-20-2-3) are now 3-1-0-0 against the Falcons (30-22-2-3) this season and 21-7-2-1 against them over the last four seasons. The three-game series is now even at a game apiece, as the Falcons jump back to within four points of the Steelheads for fourth place in the National Conference with 14 games remaining.

The Falcons netted the only two goals of the opening period, tallying at 7:33 and 9:15. On the first marker, John Morlang carried the puck into the Steelheads' zone on a two-on-one rush before sending a pass out of the reach of Steelheads' defenseman Darrell Hay and onto the tape of leading scorer Luke Curtin. Curtin promptly ripped the feed past Steve Silverthorn (15 saves) for his 18th of the season, which was an even-strength goal.

Less than two minutes later the Falcons made it 2-0 on a power play goal by John Wroblewski. Morlang picked up his second assist on the marker, while defenseman Cory Murphy grabbed the second helper.

At 8:32 of the second period the Steelheads cut the deficit in half with an even-strength tally by newcomer Alexander Naurov. Playing in his second professional game in North America, Naurov cleaned up Tuomas Mikkonen's chance from the crease and beat a sprawled out Scott Stirling (33 saves). Matt Nickerson recorded the other assist on Naurov's tally, his first of the campaign.

After two periods the Steelheads trailed 2-1, despite out-shooting the Falcons 23-9.

The only tally in the third period came with one second left in regulation, as Morlang completed his three-point effort with an empty-net marker, his 24th of the year.

The final shots were 34-18 in favor of the Steelheads, who came into the match having won three of their previous five games. The loss snaps Silverthorn's career-best, 11-game unbeaten streak, while Stirling won for the sixth time in the last seven games.

The rubber match of this three-game series is on Saturday, March 10 at 7:10 p.m. MST. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from March 9, 2007


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