NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Idaho Steelheads

STEELHEADS: Ully Caps Comeback in Win over Rush

January 8, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Rapid City, SD - Cole Ully's third period power play tally capped a string of three unanswered goals as the Idaho Steelheads (18-8-4) overcame a two-goal deficit for a 3-2 victory over the Rapid City Rush (7-20-0) on Friday night at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Ully joined the Steelheads earlier in the day after being reassigned from AHL Texas, and he made an immediate impact scoring the game-winner at 14:50 of the third period during a five-minute major power play. The Steelheads have won eight consecutive road games and ten of their last 13 overall, while the Rush dropped their tenth straight.

At 11:41 of the third with the score tied 2-2, Josh Elmes was assessed a major penalty for boarding Connor Chatham in the Rush zone. The Steelheads capitalized on Ully's first of the season, a one-timer from the right circle off of a feed from Jefferson Dahl at the side of the net.

The Rush would have their own power play chance late in regulation when Will Merchant was sent off for delay of game. With the net empty, the Rush had a 6-on-4 power play for the final 1:22 and could not convert, as Philippe Desrosiers earned his 13th victory.

Trailing 2-1 in the third, Corey Durocher tied the score with his third goal of the year and his first as a Steelhead. Tommy Thompson picked up the puck in the neutral zone and drove down the right wing and into the Rush zone before sliding a backhand pass to the top of the Rush crease for Durocher's redirect. The Steelheads have twice recovered from two-goal deficits this season to defeat the Rush at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Rapid City opened the scoring at 9:35 of the first period when Pavel Jenys denied several Steelheads clearing attempts and ultimately found Peter Sivak in the left-wing circle for his third goal of the season, and first in ten games. The Rush made it 2-0 at 8:20 of the second after more Rush forecheck pressure, with Griffin Foulk's left point shot stopped by Desrosiers but the rebound put in for Jack Walker's second of the season.

Idaho cut the deficit in half before the second intermission. Henrik Samuelsson cut in front of Christian Frey's net at 17:14 of the second to redirect a Merchant shot for his 12th goal of the season, and team-leading sixth on the power play.

Samuelsson's two point night extended his points streak to five games, with four goals and eleven points in that span. Joe Faust also has points in five straight, totaling three goals and eight points. Head Coach Neil Graham earned his 99th career coaching win.

The Steelheads have won all six meetings with the Rush this season, and they have won ten consecutive games at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center dating back to December 28th of last season.

With the Colorado Eagles' overtime loss to the Utah Grizzlies, Idaho moved within four points of the Mountain Division and Western Conference lead.

The Steelheads and Rush complete their series on Saturday night at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, with puck-drop scheduled for 7:05pm MT and the game available on 1350AM KTIK and on ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS: Goals: Samuelsson (12), Durocher (3), Ully (1) Philippe Desrosiers: 20 saves on 22 shots Power Play: 2-for-6 Penalty Kill: 4-for-4

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. Cole Ully IDH;

2. Joe Faust IDH;

3. Peter Sivak IDH;

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME Cole Ully: Game-winning power play goal, 3 shots.

PLAY OF THE GAME: The Steelheads' game-winning power play goal was the result of patience and puck movement, working the puck around the perimeter before Henrik Samuelsson found a seam to hit Jefferson Dahl with a pass at the side of Christian Frey's net. With all eyes turned to Dahl, the Steelheads' captain slid a pass across the slot for Cole Ully, who buried the one-timer in his first game with the team this season to cap the comeback and send Idaho on its way to a 3-2 win.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from January 8, 2018


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