Steelheads win Pacific Division title
Published on April 22, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - Zenon Konopka's second goal of the game, with 1:20 left in the third period, gave the Idaho Steelheads a 3-2 win over the Alaska Aces Wednesday night in Anchorage. The Steelheads clinched the ECHL's Pacific Division title by claiming the best-of-five series 3-1. Idaho will now advance to the Western Conference Finals against either Gwinnett or Louisiana. Gwinnett leads that series 2-1, and can wrap up the Central Division with a win in Game 4 Friday.
Idaho jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 3:11 into the game, as Jan Kopecky scored on a breakaway past Alaska netminder Dan Murphy. Idaho maintained the 1-0 lead through the period.
Just as Alaska had done in Game 3 Tuesday, the Aces scored early in the second frame to tie the score. Mark Smith beat Idaho's Dan Ellis after a scramble in front of the Idaho net at 1:47 for his fifth of the playoffs, drawing Alaska even at one. The Aces took the lead at 12:44 when Keith McCambridge scored off an assist from Chris Lipsett. Idaho took advantage of a four-minute high sticking penalty to Alaska's Joe Talbot to again tie the score at the 18:26 mark. Idaho's Darrell Hay fired a shot from the point and Konopka redirected it past Murphy for the equalizer.
The teams entered the third period at 2-2, and both goaltenders turned aside quality scoring chances. The game appeared headed to overtime when Konopka's fifth goal of the playoffs proved to be the game and series winner. Dan Vandermeer sent the puck towards the Alaska net, and it ricocheted off Konopka's skate and past Murphy. Vandermeer recorded his second assist of the game on the play.
Idaho's Dan Ellis improved his postseason record to 6-1 as he stopped 24 of 26 shots. Alaska's Murphy suffered his third straight defeat and ends his postseason with a 4-3 record.
ECHL Stories from April 22, 2004
- Rivermen Ousted from the Playoffs 3-1 in Game Four of the Northern Division Finals - Peoria Rivermen
- Blades Sweep Stingrays With 8-2 Win, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Alum Ryder Is Finalist For NHL Rookie Award - ECHL
- Ice Dogs Name Malcolm Cameron 4th Head Coach In Team History - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Ryder Is Finalist For NHL's Calder Trophy - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Today In The ECHL - ECHL
- Steelheads win Pacific Division title - Idaho Steelheads
- Aces suffer bitter 3-2 defeat - Alaska Aces
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.
