Ulanski Hat Trick Sinks Steelheads
December 10, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
(Boise, ID) - Kevin Ulanski netted three goals and Riley Nelson chipped in three points on Saturday night as the visiting Colorado Eagles upended the Idaho Steelheads, 5-1, in front of 4,186 fans at CenturyLink Arena.
Ulanski had two of the three goals by the 13-minute mark of the first period, the second assisted by onetime Steelhead Liam Huculak to put the Eagles on top, 2-0.
Idaho responded at the 15:31 mark when Andrei Plekhanov and Jacob Cepis got the puck on the stick of rookie defenseman Derek Matheson. The lanky lefty blistered a shot from the top of the left-hand circle past Kyle Jones for his first professional goal, cutting Colorado's lead to one and triggering a cascade of teddy bears onto the CenturyLink Arena ice on Idaho's 14th-annual "Teddy Bear Toss Night." Hundreds of stuffed toys were collected and will be donated to Toys for Tots on behalf of the Steelheads and their fans.
Things didn't get better for the home team after that. Colorado scored twice early in the second to seize control of the game, the first at 3:14 off the stick of Ulanski from Riley Nelson, completing the hat trick for Ulanski, and the second from Ulanski to Nelson at 4:27 to make it 4-1. Idaho had a flurry midway through the period on a power play, but Kyle Jones made three point-blank saves with his leg pads to keep Idaho off the boards and Colorado in control.
The Eagles scored the only goal of the third period, a Chad Costello tally to extend his point streak to an ECHL-best 13 consecutive games.
Jerry Kuhn stopped 37 of 42 shots in net for Idaho, while Jones was solid with 32 saves on 33 shots for Colorado. Both teams came up empty on four power-play opportunities.
Idaho (9-12-3) goes on the road next week for games at Stockton on Friday and Saturday night. The team returns home for contests against rival and defending Kelly Cup champion Alaska on December 21, 22, and 23. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com .
COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Derek Matheson
AQUA FINA "3 STARS" -
(1) Kevin Ulanski (COL)
(2) Riley Nelson (COL)
(3) Derek Matheson (ID)
Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim's Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.
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