ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Weekly Recap And Look Ahead

Published on May 20, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID. – The Idaho Steelheads continued the Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi Taylor Cup Finals last week against the Fresno Falcons. Idaho won 4-2 on Wednesday night at Selland Arena. On Thursday the Steelheads pulled off a dramatic 4-3 overtime win to even the series at two games apiece. Sunday night the Falcons won a hard fought 2-1 game to take a three games to two lead. The Steelheads host Fresno in Game 6 of the Taylor Cup Finals on Friday, May 24th at the BofA Centre. If necessary Game 7 will be played Saturday, May 25th at the BofA Centre. For tickets call 331-8497 (TIXS).

TAYLOR CUP FINALS COMPLETE RECAP

· GAME ONE — The Fresno Falcons turned in an extremely solid 60 minute effort in a 5-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads in game one of the Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi Taylor Cup Finals in front of 4,640 fans at the BofA Centre. Joe Frederick had the game wining goal and led a balanced Falcons attack as Fresno took home ice advantage in the best of seven series away from Idaho. The Steelheads got the crowd revved up early when Derek Paget (3) scored on a rebound just 40 seconds into the game to put the Steelheads on the board. The Falcons slowly turned the tide with physical play and grinding shifts, eventually tying the game when Weaver scored a power play goal on a backhander at 9:59. Shots in the first period were 10-5 in favor of Fresno. In the second period, once again Idaho struck first. Dion Darling (1) scored on a low wrister at 7:16 to put Idaho in front 2-1. The Falcons answered back a little over three minutes later when Schoneck tied the game with a one-timer from the slot at 10:59. Just 36 seconds later Frederick redirected one home at 11:35 to give Fresno their first lead of the night. Fresno out shot Idaho 11-8 in the second frame. In the third, Idaho had a couple of power play chances early, but Fresno who came into the game killing penalties at over 97 percent, turned the Steelheads aside. Borders put the game away, capitalizing on a Steelheads giveaway at 15:23. Then Junkin added some insurance capping off a two-on-one at 16:30 to complete the scoring. FINAL SCORE Fresno 5, Idaho 2. Fresno out shot Idaho 30-22. The Steelheads went 0-6 on the power play, Fresno went 1-6. Terry Friesen was solid in net for Fresno to post the win. Idaho goalie Blair Allison allowed five goals on 30 shots.

· GAME TWO — The Idaho Steelheads had leads of 3-1 and 4-2, but could not hold off the hard charging Fresno Falcons who rallied for a 5-4 win over the Steelheads and a two games to none lead in the best of seven Taylor Cup Finals presented by Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi. The scene shifts to Fresno with game three set for Wednesday night at Selland Arena. With Idaho trailing one game to none a Steelheads assault was expected in the first ten minutes of the game, but it was Fresno that came out firing. The Falcons dominated the play and cracked thru even strength when Cormier outworked the Steelheads in their own zone and set up Frederick ay 10:47. The Falcons continued to dominate play, but Steelheads goalie Blair Allison was outstanding in the frame to keep Idaho within striking distance. Dion Darling sprung Bobby Stewart on a breakaway with a great lead pass and Stewart slid the puck five-hole to tie the game at 17:42. In the second the Steelheads turned the tide. Kevin Smyth (2) scored on a power play at 10:24 to give Idaho their first lead of the game. Just 59 seconds later Scott Burt scored to push the margin to 2-1 at 11:23. The Falcons got back in the game on a weird play as the puck was dumped into the Idaho zone and when Allison went behind the net to play it the puck caromed out in front and went off the skate of Junkin and into the empty net at 13:50. Going to the third period up a goal, Idaho increased the margin when Matt Oates (6) scored on a rebound at 2:35 to make it 4-2 Idaho. Then Falcons got back into the game when former Steelhead Dan Kerluke scored on a wrister for Fresno at 4:03. Then Cormier unleashed a tremendous effort and scored on the rebound of his own shot to tie the game 4-4 at 11:19. Porter then stole the puck at the Idaho line and walked in to score 1:22 later to give Fresno the lead at 12:41. FINAL SCORE Fresno 5, Idaho 4. Idaho out shot Fresno 30-27. The Steelheads went 1-2 on power play, Fresno went 1-2.

· GAME THREE — The Idaho Steelheads and the Fresno Falcons engaged in a penalty filled festival in Game 3 as Idaho got a desperately needed win to get back in the series. Kevin Smyth scored a pair of goals as the Steelheads got their first win of the series. Idaho now trails Fresno two games to one in the best of seven Taylor Cup Finals presented by Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi. The Steelheads got on the board early when Smyth (3) redirected a shot from the point by Jeremy Mylymok at 4:15 during a five-on-three power play. The Falcons went to work and tied it on a power play of their own when Weaver was left all alone in the slot and scored on a wrister at 10:42. Fresno took the lead with another power play goal, this time by Coffin on a rebound at 17:30. Fresno dominated the first period with shots 14-4 in their favor. In the second period Idaho turned the tide. Matt Oates (7) capitalized on a two on one feed from Cal Ingraham at 6:17 to tie the game. Later on the Steelheads got a lift from a power play one-timer from Bobby Stewart (8) on a set up by Mylymok at 14:04 to take their first lead of the night at 3-2. In game two Idaho took a 3-2 lead to the third period, but were not able to hold on. Wednesday night the Steelheads were able to hold on and add to their lead. Greg Bullock fed Kevin Smyth for his second goal of the night at 15:42 to put the game away. FINAL SCORE Idaho 4, Fresno 2. Fresno out shot Idaho 34-16. The Steelheads went 2-8 on the power play, Fresno went 2-11.

· GAME FOUR — Bobby Stewart scored 7:53 into overtime as the Idaho Steelheads beat the Fresno Falcons 4-3 to rally to tie the best of seven Taylor Cup Finals at two games apiece presented by Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi. The Steelheads jumped to a 3-1 lead, but the Falcons rallied to tie the game and send it to overtime. With the win Idaho has now regained home ice advantage in the series and Game 6 will be played in Boise at the BofA Centre. Both teams came out firing in a high tempo first period. Fresno got on the board early when Frederick tipped one in on a goalmouth scramble at 2:02. The Steelheads tied it when Cal Ingraham (5) put home a rebound at 3:33. The Steelheads then capitalized on a power play when Scott Burt (2) unleashed a rocket one-timer high glove side at 8:24 to give Idaho the lead. Then Derek Paget (4) tipped home a shot from the point by Scott Swanson at 10:08 for a 3-1 Idaho advantage. The Falcons tied it when Coffin walked in front and backhanded it by Blair Allison at 17:16 to get the Falcons within a goal. The Falcons continued their momentum from the end of the first period into the start of the second. When Idaho couldn't clear the zone Porter setup Junkin for a one-time wrister from the slot to tie the game 3-3 at 8:43. The Falcons out shot Idaho 8-1 to start the frame and 8-2 overall in the period. Going to the third period tied at 3-3 each team had some chances, but neither could score. In overtime the teams traded shots until Greg Bullock picked up a rebound and fed it backdoor to Stewart (8) who slammed it home to give Idaho the win and even the series. FINAL SCORE Idaho 4, Fresno 3 in overtime. Fresno out shot Idaho 29-22. The Steelheads went 1-7 on the power play, Fresno went 0-3.

· GAME FIVE — Darren Wetherill scored the game winning goal at 2:16 of the third period to give the Fresno Falcons a 2-1 win over the Idaho Steelheads and a three games to two lead in the best of seven Taylor Cup Finals presented by Larry Miller Subaru / Mitsubishi. Idaho was out shot 28-16 by the Falcons. The Falcons came out with the jump in the first period, firing four shots in the first two minutes and controlling the action. A little over halfway thru a penalty filled first period Fresno capitalized on a five-on-three power play when Porter blasted one home at 11:08. Fresno out shot Idaho 10-3 in the first frame. In the second period Idaho turned the tide as Derek Paget (5) scored on a screened wrister at 3:26 to tie the game at 1-1. Shots were 12-6 in favor of Fresno in the second period. Wetherill gave the Falcons the lead with a big slap shot 2:16 into the third frame to make it 2-1 Fresno. The Steelheads had some chances, but could not get the equalizer. FINAL SCORE Fresno 2, Idaho 1. Fresno out shot Idaho 28-16. The Steelheads went 0-7 on the power play, Fresno went 1-7.

NEXT UP FOR IDAHO

The Steelheads host Fresno in Game 6 of the Taylor Cup Finals on Friday, May 24th at the BofA Centre. If necessary Game 7 will be played Saturday, May 25th at the BofA Centre. For tickets call 331-8497 (TIXS).

POST SEASON SCORING STREAKS

· Goal Streaks Games Player Total Goals

2 Paget 2

· Point Streaks Games Player Pts

4 Stewart 5

2 Paget 2

REGULAR SEASON VS. FRESNO

· THIS SEASON— The Steelheads won the season series 5-3-0, including a 3-1-0 mark at the BofA Centre and 2-2-0 at Selland Arena.

· ALL TIME – Idaho is 20-17-3 versus the Sabercats, including an 11-7-2 mark at the BofA Centre.

UPCOMING STEELHEADS GAMES

Date Game Time Notes May 24th Vs. Fresno 7:00 p.m. MDT Game #6 Taylor Cup Finals *May 25th Vs. Fresno 7:00 p.m. MDT Game #7 Taylor Cup Finals * If Necessary

STEELHEADS REGULAR SEASON RECAP

Franchise Records

The Steelheads set and matched several franchise records this season. With 47 wins Idaho matched last season record for wins. With 102 points Idaho eclipsed last seasons record total of 98 points. With 29 home wins Idaho set a franchise record and matched a league record. The Steelheads won 18 straight games at home to set a new franchise record and also match the second longest home win streak in league history.

PRACTICE TIMES

The Steelheads will practice Tuesday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the BofA Centre. The team will have a pre game skate on Friday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Fresno will have a pre game skate from 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM on Friday. If Game 7 is necessary the pre game skate Saturday will be the same for each team. The media and public are welcome at all practices.

PLAYOFF TICKETS

Playoff tickets are available at the BofA Centre box office and all Select-A-Seat locations. Call 331-8497 (TIXS).

BOISE BLIZZARD

Fans are encouraged to wear white in a show of support for the team for all playoff games at the BofA Centre.

STEELHEADS ON THE AIR

All Steelheads games can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 KTIK. Also the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show airs Monday – Friday from 6:00 – 7:00 PM MDT on ESPN Radio 1350 KTIK. Listen live on the Internet at www.idahosteelheads.com .

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

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ECHL Stories from May 20, 2002


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