Steelheads Tame Grizzlies 8-3
February 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Winger Derek Nesbitt notched a career-high five points, as the Steelheads netted eight even-strength goals in a 8-3 thumping of the Utah Grizzlies in front of 4,507 fans at Qwest Arena on Saturday night.
In addition to Nesbitt (2g, 3a), six other skaters recorded multiple points, including Scott Burt's season-high, four assists, Lance Galbraith's season-best, four points (1g, 3a) and two goals each by Taggart Desmet and Marty Flichel. With the victory, the Steelheads (29-18-2-2) are now unbeaten in six games, equaling a season high, while the Grizzlies (19-29-2-3) have lost three straight. It's also the Steelheads' sixth win in seven games this season against their closest rival.
The Steelheads opened the scoring at 10:21 of the first period on Flichel's 25th of the campaign. On the goal, Galbraith controlled a Steelheads' dump-in at the left circles and sent the puck below the Grizzlies' goal line to Nesbitt, who found Flichel cruising through the slot. Flichel's one-timer soared over the head of goaltender Rob McVicar (30 saves) to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
At 14:58 of the opening frame the Grizzlies tied the contest on Jimmie Kraft's seventh of the year. D.J. Jelitto got the only assist, as Kraft's shot from the slot caromed off Steelheads' defenseman Blake Forsyth's stick and through the legs of Steve Silverthorn (25 saves).
After one period, the score was even at one and the Grizzlies were out-shooting the Steelheads 12-11.
Early in the second period the Steelheads began a four-goal outburst. At 1:40, Desmet fluttered a shot through traffic and past McVicar for his ninth of the season. Burt and defenseman Travis Wight grabbed the helpers. Desmet would tally again at the 8:00 mark with a shot from along the right wing boards that squeaked through McVicar for a 3-1 Steelheads' advantage. Colin Shields and Burt drew the assists.
Just 54 seconds later, Galbraith recorded his 21st of the season beating McVicar cleanly from the slot. Darrell Hay and Nesbitt picked up the assists. Then, at 11:16, Nesbitt ripped a one-timer into the back of the net for a 5-1 lead. On the play, Galbraith, who was tripped up behind the Grizzlies' net, sent a blind, backhand feed into the slot where Nesbitt was left unmarked. The Egmondville, Ontario native made no mistake with his chance, beating McVicar cleanly.
Hay made the score 6-1 at 5:38 of the third period with a right point shot that beat McVicar under his right pad for his seventh of the season, with Shields and Burt setting up the marker. Nesbitt then registered his second marker of the night off a rebound from the crease that he tapped past McVicar at 13:10, and Flichel earned his second of the evening at 16:23 off a nifty passing play by Galbraith and Nesbitt to round out the Steelheads scoring.
Grizzlies' forward Blake Robson potted an even-strength marker for the Grizzlies in between Nesbitt and Flichel's second tallies, while Luciano Aquino scored with less than a second left in regulation to make the final score 8-3.
The final shots favored the Steelheads 33-28. The Steelheads failed to score on their only power play, marking the first time this season that they've had just one man advantage in a contest. The eight goals scored is the most in a single game this season, while the five-goal margin of victory matches a season best.
The Steelheads conclude their regular season series against the Grizzlies on Saturday, February 24. Faceoff is at 7:10 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.
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