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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Weekly Update

January 12, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho - It is a tight race, but the Steelheads have first place.... After a three-game sweep over the Fresno Falcons (W7-4), Bakersfield Condors (W3-2) and Long Beach Ice Dogs (W3-2), the Idaho Steelheads gained six points to earn them a three-point lead in the Pacific Division and a tie for second in the ECHL with 50 points.

Idaho will host the Long Beach Ice Dogs at the Bank of America Centre on January 16th and 18th, with a visit to Fresno sandwiched between the home games.

RECORD

Idaho begins this week in first place in the ECHL's Pacific Division with 24-11-2, and 50 points (home record 15-4-0, and road record 9-7-2). Las Vegas and Alaska are tied for second, each with 47 points. Idaho has won its last four games and its last six at home. The team is 7-1-2 in its last 10 games; and is 4-0-1 in its last five.

GAME RECAPS:

01/09/2004 IDAHO 7 @ FRESNO 4

FRESNO, California (Ticker) -- Dylan Gyori scored twice and assisted on a pair of goals to lead the Idaho Steelheads over the Fresno Falcons, 7-4. Gyori helped out on a power-play goal by Jan Kopecky 2:12 into the contest, assisted on a marker by Lance Galbrath 3:38 into the second for a 5-2 lead and scored 12:04 later. He added his fourth goal in eight games with the club 3:51 into the third. Kopecky scored twice and Martin Vasut had two assists for Idaho, which improved to 8-1-2 over its last 11 games. Dan Ellis had 19 saves in the third period and 35 overall for the win. Greg Bullock had two goals and an assist for Fresno, which has lost three in a row. Terry Friesen gave up all seven goals on 31 shots for the loss.

01/10/2004 IDAHO 3 @ BAKERSFIELD 2

BAKERSFIELD, California (Ticker) -- Ben Keup scored the deciding goal early in the third period to lift the Idaho Steelheads over the Bakersfield Condors, 3-2. Keup broke a 2-2 tie shorthanded 5:58 into the final period. Jeff Bateman assisted on a power-play goal by Jan Kopecky midway through the first period and netted a man-advantage marker early in the second for Idaho, which has won its last four meetings with Bakersfield. Blair Allison turned away 26 shots for the win. Kevin Riehl opened the scoring on the power play 6:56 into the contest for the Condors and helped out on a goal by Jason Ralph that tied the score at 2-2 with 2:26 expired in the third. Shane Bendera finished with 23 saves in the loss.

01/11/2004 IDAHO 3 @ LONG BEACH 2

LONG BEACH, California (Ticker) -- Dylan Gyori and Scott Burt each scored on the power play in the third period to help the Idaho Steelheads rally past the Long Beach Ice Dogs, 3-2. Gyori tied the game at 2-2 just 8:06 into the final period and Burt followed 38 seconds later to give Idaho its first lead. Lance Galbraith tallied on the power play in the second period and Chris Slater handed out a pair of assists for the Steelheads, who are unbeaten over their last five games (4-0-1). Dan Ellis stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn the win. Alex Kim recorded a shorthanded goal for Long Beach, which has dropped five of its last six games. T.J. Aceti gave up three goals on 28 shots to take the loss.

IN THE NET: Goaltender Dan Ellis, 13-8-1 (2.56 goals against average and .909 save percentage). Ellis recorded two wins this past weekend in net against Fresno and Long Beach. He was recalled to AHL affiliate Utah Grizzlies on 12/13/03, and recorded a 6-0 shutout against Manchester in his first AHL start, returning to Idaho on 12/26/03. Blair Allison improves to 11-3-1, with a 2.45 goals against average and .908 save percentage, with his weekend win against Bakersfield.

SCORING LEADERS: Jan Kopecky (F) continues to the team in scoring with 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists). Dave Cornacchia (D) is second with 29 points, 5 goals and 24 assists. Zenon Konopka (F) currently in AHL Utah is third with 28 points, 6 goals and 22 assists.

PP and PK: Idaho's power play is ranked 16th overall, having scored 36 goals in 216 chances (16.7%). The team's overall penalty kill improves to 26th overall at 80.1%, allowing 38 in 191 attempts.

OF NOTE: ECHL All-Star defenseman David Cornacchia has tallied 11 points in his last 10 games (1 goal, 10 assists)...Cornacchia is second on the team in scoring with 29 points (5 goals, 24 assists), and ranks 9th overall in scoring for defenseman... Goaltender Dan Ellis is tied for the League high in shootout wins with 3, and tied for fifth in shutouts with 2 (11/07/03 vs CIN, and 1/04/04 @ FRE)... Forward Miguel Delisle is tied for third overall in the League in power play goals with 9, and tied for first amongst rookies.

PAST WEEK TRANSACTIONS:

1/05/2004 Delete ADAM COPELAND (F) placed on 7-day IR

1/06/2004 Add ROB HARTNELL (F) signed contract

1/06/2004 Delete ROB HARTNELL (F) released from team

1/06/2004 Add DYLAN GYORI (F) returned from Utah (AHL)

1/06/2004 Delete WARREN PETERS (F) recalled to Utah (AHL)

1/06/2004 Delete ZENON KONOPKA (F) recalled to Utah (AHL)

1/09/2004 Add JEFF BATEMAN (F) activated off 30-day IR

UP NEXT:

01/16/2004 Steelheads vs Ice Dogs, Bank of America Centre, 7:05 pm. Promotion: Magnet Card Giveaway

01/17/2004 Steelheads @ Falcons, Save Mart Center, 8:30 pm MST.

01/18/2004 Steelheads vs Ice Dogs, Bank of America Centre, 7:05 pm. Promotion: Family Night, 2-for-1 tickets by picking up a coupon at any NAPA store.

TICKETS: Game tickets for home games are available at the Bank of America Centre, by visiting any Select-A-Seat outlet, by calling 331-TIXS (8497), or by logging on to www.idahotickets.com or www.idahosteelheads.com. With every ticket purchased, fans will receive $1.00 off any 12-pack Pepsi product purchased at Jacksons throughout the season by redeeming any game ticket stub at a participating Jacksons store.

RADIO: Join "Voice of the Steelheads," Britt Talbert on ESPN 1350 KTIK every night from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for the Bud Light Sports Talk Show. Every Monday features Steelheads Head Coach John Olver. Stay tuned on game nights as Britt will bring fans play-by-play live action for all 72 games; Color Commentator Mark Broz joins Britt for home games. Games can also be heard via the Internet through the Steelheads website, www.idahosteelheads.com or by logging on to www.ktik.com.

TELEVISION: Never miss a home game, as CableOne Channel 17 will air every game the following day at 6:00 p.m. and again at 9:00 p.m.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 12, 2004


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