Sports stats



ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Suffer Shootout Loss To Ontario, 3-2

December 9, 2009 - 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)

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 9, 2009


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.

OurSports Central