ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Top Line Shines As Steelheads Down Falcons 5-2

March 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Fresno, CA - Marty Flichel's two goals and two assists and Derek Nesbitt's three-point night led the charge, as the Steelheads scored four unanswered goals to top the Fresno Falcons 5-2, in front of 7,853 fans at the SaveMart Center on Saturday night.

The Steelheads (35-22-2-3) are now 2-1-0-0 on their four-game road trip and 19-11-1-1 on the road this season, while the Falcons (32-24-2-4) have lost two straight overall and all three games to the Steelheads this year on home ice.

At 3:35 of the opening period Steelheads' winger B.J. Crombeen got to a loose puck at the side of the Falcons' net and stuffed it just inside the left post for a 1-0 lead. Crombeen's third in just three games this season came after Falcons' netminder Scott Stirling (40 saves) stopped original shots by Flichel and Nesbitt.

Late in the frame the Falcons tied the match on John Morlang's 25th of the season and his third against the Steelheads. On a three-on-three rush through neutral ice, Dave Borrelli dumped the puck into the Steelheads' zone and to the right of goaltender John Daigneau (15 saves). Falcons' winger Rob McFeeters dug the puck out of the corner and found Morlang at the top of the crease, who was able to muscle the puck past Daigneau to even the score.

After 20 minutes of play, the shots favored the Steelheads 13-8 and the contest was deadlocked at one.

Falcons' rookie winger Jason Tejchma broke the 1-1 tie with a shorthanded, breakaway goal at the 6:55 mark of the second period, as he grabbed a loose puck that bounced away from Steelheads' defenseman Darrell Hay and raced towards the Steelheads' goal. Tejchma then deked past Daigneau's poke check and flipped the puck over his glove for his first professional marker and the Falcons' 21st shorthanded tally, which leads the ECHL.

Midway through the period, Nesbitt was robbed by Stirling on a one-timer from the right circles, but the Falcons failed to clear their zone as Flichel stole the puck and fed Nesbitt again. The second-year pro wheeled into the high slot and ripped a shot over the glove of Stirling for his third straight game with a goal and his 25th of the campaign.

Just a few minutes later the Steelheads took their second lead when Flichel tipped home defenseman Steve Chabbert's right point shot just as a Steelheads' power play had expired. Fellow defenseman Travis Wight grabbed the second helper on Flichel's team-leading 34th.

Through two periods, the Steelheads led 3-2 and they were out-shooting the Falcons 28-11.

Flichel extended the Steelheads lead halfway through the third period, taking a Nesbitt pass at the side of the Falcons' net and beating Stirling cleanly for his second of the evening. Wight picked up the second assist.

Then with 3:19 left in regulation, Tuomas Mikkonen tallied his 15th of the season and his fifth against the Falcons to round out the scoring. Scott Burt and Taggart Desmet recorded the assists on the club's fifth even-strength goal of the night.

The final shots favored the Steelheads 45-17, as both teams finished zero-for-four on the man advantage. Daigneau picked up his fourth win of the year and his second in the SaveMart Center, while Stirling lost for the ninth time.

The Steelheads conclude their four-game road swing when they take on the Stockton Thunder on Sunday, March 18. The puck drops at 5:00 p.m. MST. Don't forget, Steelheads' single game tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from March 17, 2007


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