Zaba Helps Steelheads Blank Condors 3-0
March 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Bakersfield, CA - Steelheads' goaltender Matt Zaba (28 saves) pitched his second career shutout as the Steelheads ended their season-high, three-game losing streak with a 3-0 whitewashing of the Condors in front of 6,842 fans at Rabobank Arena on Saturday night.
The win is the Steelheads (34-20-9) 16th away from home and their sixth shutout victory this season. Meanwhile, the Condors (18-33-9) remain on the outside looking in for a playoff spot in the National Conference, dropping three points back of the RoadRunners for eighth place.
At 8:11 of the first period the Steelheads finished off some hard work in the offensive zone as Lance Galbraith took Marty Flichel's centering feed and deked Condors' goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji (41 saves) before rifling home his 18th goal of the season. John Lammers collected the second assist on the even-strength goal, the only tally for either side in the stanza.
The Steelheads finished the first period with a season-high, 25 shots, while holding the Condors to just six chances and taking a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Late in the second period Matt Craig snapped a shot through traffic and past Fukufuji for his ninth of the campaign and a 2-0 Steelheads' advantage. Andrew Martin registered the primary helper, his third in the last two outings while Taggart Desmet also factored in on the even-strength marker.
After 40 minutes of play the Steelheads led 2-0 despite going zero-for-five on the man advantage, including a major power play in the middle frame.
Martin netted his 10th of the season at the 12:17 mark of the third period to increase the visitors' lead to 3-0, his second straight multiple point game and his fourth in 11 games with the Steelheads this year. Desmet grabbed the only assist for his second straight two-point effort.
The Steelheads finished with 43 shots, while keeping the Condors to 29. The Steelheads went zero-for-six on the power play and two-for-two on the penalty kill. Zaba is now 4-0-0 against the Condors and 10-3-1 with the defending Kelly Cup Champions. Fukufuji took the loss to drop to 10-14-1.
The Steelheads get a day off before returning on the ice to battle with the Condors on Monday, March 10. The puck drops at 8:10 p.m. MST. All the action can be heard live on 1350 AM, KTIK "The Ticket" or via the B2 Networks. Don't forget, Steelheads' single-game tickets can be purchased via www.idahosteelheads.com (using the print-at-home feature), by calling 331-TIXS or from the Qwest Arena box office.
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