ECHL Idaho Steelheads

That's Dahl, Folks: Jefferson Dahl's OT winner downs Aces

Published on March 3, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Idaho Steelheads vs. the Alaska Aces
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Alaska Aces
(Idaho Steelheads)

Boise, ID - It took just 13 seconds of overtime for Jefferson Dahl to power a breakaway wrist shot through goaltender Jacob DeSerres and cap off a back-and-forth affair at CenturyLink Arena between the Idaho Steelheads (31-20-7) and the Alaska Aces (20-29-7). Dahl's second goal in three games and 20th of the season sealed a 4-3 win for the Steelheads and extended their points streak to six games.

Shortly after the opening face-off of overtime, Dahl streaked through the neutral zone and away from Alaska's Peter Sivak. Because of this year's new 3-on-3 overtime format, a two-stride lead on Sivak at center ice meant Dahl was alone on a breakaway the moment he received the lead pass from Rob Linsmayer. Dahl used his customary shootout move, dropping his shoulder and firing a wrist shot to the blocker side of DeSerres from between the circles. DeSerres made the initial save with the blocker, but the puck bounced up in the air and over his shoulder before rolling into the net to secure the win for Idaho, their first overtime win this season at CenturyLink Arena.

The Steelheads are now 4-0-2 in the past six games and have extended their lead atop the West Division to five points over Utah.

The Steelheads took three separate one-goal leads in the game, with the Aces fighting back each time to tie the score. Jake Fallon opened the scoring just 1:08 into the game, intercepting a Ryan Tesink breakout pass between the circles of the Alaska zone and firing the puck over DeSerres' shoulder for his fifth of the season.

Justin Breton tied the score for the Aces with his team-leading 18th of the year 6:58 into the second period, swatting a bouncing rebound past the glove of goaltender Philippe Desrosiers. The Steelheads wasted no time answering back, with Joe Basaraba cashing in the rebound of an Andre Morrissette breakaway just 44 seconds later to re-establish a 2-1 Steelheads lead.

Basaraba now has four goals and ten points in the last six games, while Morrissette has 12 points in his last 12 contests. The Aces tied the score 1:38 after Basaraba's tally, with Garet Hunt driving the net for his eighth of the year.

Rob Linsmayer put the Steelheads back in front at 7:56 of the third with his 14th of the season, a wrist shot from the right-wing boards that squeezed through DeSerres. Justin Breton's second of the game 4:09 later, a wrist shot from the top of the left circle, tied the game once more at 3-3 and ultimately forced overtime.

Desrosiers made 26 saves for the Steelheads to earn his first win since being reassigned to Idaho last week. Dating back to his first stint in Idaho, Desrosiers has earned a point in his last eight ECHL starts going 6-0-2.

The Steelheads and Aces will meet again Friday night for the middle game of their three-game set. Friday night is also the first game of the Steelheads' two-day "Pink in the Rink" Jersey Auction, sponsored by St. Luke's, in which the Steelheads will auction custom-made game worn jerseys to fans with the proceeds donated to fund cancer research.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT, with the game available on 1350AM KTIK, CableOne, and ECHLTV.

STEELHEADS STATS:

Goals: Fallon (5), Basaraba (6), Linsmayer (14), Dahl (20) Philippe Desrosiers: 26 saves on 29 shots Power Play: 0-for-2 Penalty Kill: 1-for-1

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Jefferson Dahl IDH

2. Justin Breton ALK

3. Rob Linsmayer IDH

COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Jefferson Dahl: Overtime winner, 1 assist, 2 shots

PLAY OF THE GAME:

It certainly has to be the game-winner. Jefferson Dahl's speed through the neutral zone combined with Rob Linsmayer's awareness to lead him with a pass straight through a neutral zone seam was exactly the kind of bang-bang play the Steelheads needed. Dahl powered a wrist shot through DeSerres, who had no idea where the puck was as it popped over his shoulder and rolled in behind him to end the game. Tonight's game was one in which the Steelheads traded chances with the Aces, and the Aces always had a response. The Steelheads needed the game to end on that breakaway, and Dahl got the job done.

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics




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Idaho Steelheads vs. the Alaska Aces
Idaho Steelheads vs. the Alaska Aces
   



ECHL Stories from March 3, 2016


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