ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Steelheads Win Sudden Death Shootout Thriller, 4-3 Over Condors

Published on December 29, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Boise, ID - Rookie forward Taggart Desmet picked up two assists in regulation before scoring the game-winning goal in the sudden death shootout, as the Steelheads won for the third time in the last four games, besting the Bakersfield Condors, 4-3, in front of 4,445 fans at Qwest Arena on Friday night.

After Steelheads' goaltender Steve Silverthorn (26 saves) stopped five of the first six Condors' (16-9-0-3) shooters he faced in the shootout, Desmet sent the Steelheads (15-11-1-1) to their seventh home win and third via the shootout, as he fooled Condors' goaltender Danny Taylor (37 saves) with a nifty deke before beating him with a backhander. The Condors are now 7-3-0-3 on the road this season, with the Steelheads earning two points in each of the first two games of this series.

The Steelheads opened the game's scoring on a power play goal by rookie Charlie Johnson at 2:26 of the first period. It was the Calgary, Alberta native's fifth of the season and second of the series, as he banged home a rebound off a point shot by defenseman Kory Scoran. Desmet also got an assist, his third of the season.

Tuomas Mikkonen made the score 2-0 with his first goal in the last 10 games, getting an even-strength tally from outside the crease at 10:07 of the opening period. Again, it was Desmet grabbing the primary helper, as he feathered a pass to the uncovered Mikkonen at the right post. Desmet's two assists in the first period gave him his first multiple point outing of the year. Defenseman Travis Wight also collected an assist, his third of the series.

Early in the second period the Condors got to within one goal, netting a power play marker for the 17th straight contest. Just 63 seconds into the frame all-star winger Todd Griffith got behind the Steelheads' defense and made a move at the top of the crease before flipping the puck over Silverthorn for his team-leading 16th goal of the season. Then at 4:50 the Condors struck again, using a favorable bounce to tie the score at two. Condors' captain Sean Venedam registered his 13th of the year, retrieving a missed shot that caromed off the end boards for a tap in from the right post. David Kudelka and Joel Irving got the assists.

Late in the second period Marty Flichel gave the Steelheads a 3-2 advantage with a power play goal, his team-leading 13th of the season. Mike Gabinet and D'Arcy McConvey set up the goal at 15:10. It was Flichel's first goal in the last seven games, as he cut towards the crease, took a feed from McConvey and stuffed it through Taylor.

With less than three minutes remaining in regulation Lutes tied the contest on a rebound chance from the low slot. After Silverthorn stopped Griffith's initial offering, Lutes swept home the second opportunity helping the Condors salvage a point. Defenseman Steven Rodberg recorded the second assist.

The shots were 36-25 in favor of the Steelheads through regulation, with the home team mustering 15 shots in the third period alone. Both teams picked up three shots in the scoreless overtime. The Steelheads ended the night at two-for-seven on the power play, while the Condors went just one-for-10.

The Steelheads last game in 2006 is on Saturday, December 30 wrapping up their three-game series with the Condors. Face-off is at 7:10 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets and all-star game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the all-new, print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office. The 2007 RBK ECHL All-Star Game at Qwest Arena is a two-night event beginning on Tuesday, January 16. Tickets to both events start at just $25.

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