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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

STEELHEADS: Thunder Roll in Idaho

November 10, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Thunder Roll in Idaho
Thunder Roll in Idaho
(Idaho Steelheads)

Boise, ID (11/9/16)-Matt Bailey's four-point night and two goals from rookie Brian Ward was more than Idaho could overcome on Wednesday night, as the Adirondack Thunder (7-1-2) remained undefeated on the road with a 6-3 win over the Idaho Steelheads (5-5-1) at CenturyLink Arena.

The Steelheads scored multiple power play goals in a game for the first time this season against the league's third ranked penalty-kill. Yet each time the Steelheads scored to cut their deficit, the Thunder would answer back to cushion their lead.

With the Steelheads already trailing 2-0, Travis Ewanyk got Idaho on the board with his third goal of the season, a power play wrister from the right dot that just squeezed through Thunder goaltender Ken Appleby and rolled over the line. The play was set up by a diving keep-in at the blue line by defenseman Brandon Anselmini, who now has points in five of his last six games.

Just 1:46 after Ewanyk's goal, Mathieu Brodeur snuck down from the right point and potted a back-door feed from Ward to make it 3-1. Idaho closed the gap again on a high-slot power play wrister from Joe Basaraba at 10:37 of the second for his second goal of the season and his second in as many games, but just 1:37 later Phil Lane scored his sixth of the season on a deflection that made it 4-2 and chased Landon Bow from the game after facing 19 shots.

Defenseman Travis Walsh would draw Idaho within a goal again at 15:02 of the second, scoring his first pro goal off a wrist shot from the left point that ricocheted in off of an Adirondack player's glove. But that was as close as Idaho would get.

Just 41 seconds into the third period, the Thunder would pad their lead when Gunnar Hughes found a trailing Alex Wall entering the Idaho zone. The defenseman danced to the net and beat Branden Komm for a 5-3 Thunder lead. Ward would score into an empty net with 2:04 left to seal the game.

The Thunder had six of the first seven shots early in the first period, but were outshot 12-6 by period's end. Bailey would open the scoring at 9:24 of the first period when he found himself open at the right post for a cross-ice feed from Ty Loney. At 15:36 of the first, Ward made it 2-0 on a shot from the high slot off a pass from Lane.

Jefferson Dahl earned an assist on Walsh's goal, extending his points streak to nine games. It's the longest streak of his career, and his 14 points are tied for fifth in the ECHL. Ward's two-goal night for the Thunder gave him seven for the season, the most among ECHL rookies.

With the win, the Thunder moved to 6-0-0 on the road this season, while Idaho fell to 3-2-1 on home ice.

The Steelheads and Thunder meet again on Friday night in Boise, with puck-drop scheduled for 7:10pm MT. The game is available on ECHLTV, Cable One and 93.1FM KTIK.

The Steelheads will be wearing their Military Appreciation Jerseys, which will be auctioned off at the end of the weekend to support The Speedy Foundation. For tickets and information, call (208) 383-0080 or visit online at IdahoSteelheads.com.

STEELHEADS STATS:

Goals: Ewanyk (3), Basaraba (2), Walsh (1)

Landon Bow: 15 saves on 19 shots; Branden Komm: 6 saves on 7 shots

Power Play: 2-for-5

Penalty Kill: 5-for-5

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Matt Bailey ADK

2. Mathieu Brodeur ADK

3. Travis Ewanyk IDH

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Matt Bailey: Goal, 3 assists, plus-3 rating

PLAY OF THE GAME:

Travis Walsh's first pro goal got the Steelheads back within one headed to the second intermission. After withstanding a persistent Thunder attack, the Steelheads were in good shape if they could seize control of the third period. That was not to be, as the Thunder restored a two-goal lead just 41 seconds in. Gunnar Hughes carried the puck into the Steelheads zone and pulled up to wait for help. The Steelheads had players back but Alex Wall was undetected trailing the play. Hughes fed Wall, who walked right to the front of the net to make it 5-3. The Steelheads were never able to close the gap.

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Thunder Roll in Idaho
Thunder Roll in Idaho
   



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