ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Win Sixth Straight, Beat Alaska 6-4

Published on December 3, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID- The Idaho Steelheads (17-3-1) extended their winning streak to six games with a 6-4 victory over the Alaska Aces (10-9-2). Playing in his first professional game, St. Cloud State product Michael Olson earned a goal and an assist in the winning effort. The six-game winning streak ties a season-high for the Steelheads, who also won a half-dozen consecutively to start the season from October 16th to October 30th.

The Steelheads exploded for four goals in the second half of the first period, and the first came courtesy of John Swanson at 10:19 on the power play. Matt McKnight and Ashton Rome assisted on Swanson's third of the season, as Swanson collected a loose puck that resulted from a blocked shot, and fired the puck top-corner on Alaska's Scott Reid.

At 14:34, Matt McKnight scored his first of the season after taking a pass from Michael Olson, who pulled a puck away from Reid behind the net. The assist was the first point of Olson's career.

With Idaho on top 2-0 and once again on the power play, Brad Miller, playing in his first professional game, fired a puck home from the high slot for his first professional goal. Mark Derlago and Marty Flichel assisted on the tally that put the Steelheads up by three.

Olson capped off the first period onslaught with a goal of his own, picking up a loose puck in the crease and finding the back of the net. Assisting on the goal at 19:17 was Brandan Kushniruk, who was a junior teammate of Olson's with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL from 2003 to 2005.

Alaska got on the board in the second period when Alexandre Imbeault scored at 12:51. However, Mike Stuart answered for Idaho, firing home a one-timer on an Evan Barlow pass. The assist gives Barlow at least a point in each of the games on the Steelheads' current six-game winning streak. Derlago also assisted on the goal.

Alaska tacked on two more before the period could close, as a Matt Stefanishion point shot and Bryan Leitch rebound effort beat Idaho's Rejean Beauchemin. After 40 minutes, Idaho led 5-3.

Each team scored in the third period. For the Steelheads, it was John Swanson's empty netter at 18:53, assisted by Rome.

A Matt Stefanishion centering attempt with nine seconds on the clock cut the Steelheads' lead to 6-4, which is how the game would end.

Rejean Beauchemin has now won seven of his first eight starts in net for Idaho; he is 7-1-0 after stopping 24 of 28 shots. Scott Reid stopped 25 of 29 in the loss; he is now 5-4-2. Sebastian Dahm appeared in relief for the final 3:21 of the first period, stopping five of the six shots sent his way.

Idaho and Alaska will wrap-up the two-game set Friday night at Qwest Arena, as the puck will drop at 7:10 PM. From there, the Steelheads will head on the road to take on the Utah Grizzlies Saturday night at 7:05 PM.

TONIGHT'S AQUAFINA THREE STARS:

1. Michael Olson (IDH)

2. Matt McKnight (IDH)

3. Guillaume Monast (IDH)

TONIGHT'S COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: John Swanson (IDH)

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 3, 2009


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