Steelheads Suffer Shootout Loss To Ontario, 3-2
Published on December 9, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID- The Idaho Steelheads (18-4-2) lost in a shootout to the Ontario Reign (10-11-3) by a 3-2 score at Qwest Arena, as Ontario completed a comeback victory; the Reign trailed 2-0 with less than five minutes remaining in regulation time. The shootout loss spoils an evening on which Luke Gazdic- playing in his first game with Idaho since last season- had a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick"; a goal, an assist, and a fight.
After a scoreless first period of play, Gazdic put the Steelheads on the board when he fired home a rebound for his first of the season. Marty Flichel and Brendan Milnamow assisted on the goal at 3:43 of the middle frame.
With just 22 seconds remaining in the period, John Swanson banged home what appeared a potential momentum-swinger; Evan Barlow lost a puck in front of the net, but conveniently Swanson recovered it in a position where he could place it behind Ontario goalie Curtis Darling. Also tallying an assist on Swanson's goal at 19:38 was Gazdic.
The Steelheads continued to lead 2-0 until the 15:40 mark of the third period when Greg Hogeboom knocked home his team-leading 14th of the season for Ontario. At 18:05, Shawn Germain fired a wrist shot from the left point top-shelp on Idaho's Rejean Beauchemin to force an overtime period.
Overtime failed to determine a winner, and in the shootout only one player was able to score: Ontario's Peter Lenes. Darling stopped all five Steelheads shooters to complete the comeback.
Beauchemin falls to 8-2-1 with the loss; he stopped 27 pucks. Darling improves to 7-7-2 with the win; he made 32 saves.
The Steelheads and Reign are back in action at Qwest Arena on Friday night. The puck drops at 7:10 PM MST.
TONIGHT'S AQUAFINA THREE STARS:
1. Luke Gazdic (IDH)
2. John Swanson (IDH)
3. Evan Barlow (IDH)
TONIGHT'S COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Luke Gazdic (IDH)
ECHL Stories from December 9, 2009
- Royals Slip Down Stretch In 4-3 Shootout Loss In Kalamazoo - Reading Royals
- Steelheads Suffer Shootout Loss To Ontario, 3-2 - Idaho Steelheads
- K-Wings Rally Past Royals - Kalamazoo Wings
- Late Game Florida Comeback Stuns Checkers - Charlotte Checkers
- Nailers Light It Up Again With 7-3 Win - Wheeling Nailers
- Everblades Rally in Overtime - Florida Everblades
- Gladiators Fall To Trenton Devils, 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Scooter Smith Returns; Toledo Falls, However, 7-3 - Toledo Walleye
- Bickel And Sharp Headed To San Antonio; Condors Sign Two - Bakersfield Condors
- Nailers Play 4 Games In 5 Days - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Steel Magnolia To Perform This Friday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Salmon Kings Sign Brady Leavold - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Toyota's Trip For Two Contest Begins - ECHL
- Grimaldi Added To Jackals Roster, Teslak Reassigned - Elmira Jackals
- Elmira's Connolly Fined - ECHL
- Dylan Hunter Returns To AHL - Utah Grizzlies
- Devils Acquire Jack Combs - Trenton Devils
- "The Pow Wow Coach's Show" From December 8 Online - Johnstown Chiefs
- Thrashers' Peverley Named Meigray ECHL Alumnus Of The Month - ECHL
- Connor Shields Featured On NHL.Com - Johnstown Chiefs
- Stingrays 2009 Holiday Packs Available - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - ECHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
