Steelheads Late Gasp Not Enough In 3-2 Loss To RoadRunners

Two goals in the final 1:39 of regulation weren?t enough, as the Steelheads fell behind early in the first period and never recovered in a 3-2 loss to the RoadRunners in front of 4,686 fans at Qwest Arena on Wednesday night.The loss keeps the Steelheads (27-16-7) in fourth place in the National Conference, as they dropped to 6-3-0 in the season series against the RoadRunners (17-26-6).The RoadRunners took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, getting a shorthanded goal by Justin Maiser at the 6:35 mark of the first period, the fifth shorthanded goal the Steelheads have allowed this season.. Intercepting an errant pass just outside the Steelheads? blue line, Maiser fended off Steelheads? defenseman Darrell Hay and took a backhander that Matt Zaba (29 saves) blocked aside. However, Maiser got to his own rebound and floated it past Zaba for his 18th of the season.Late in the second period, Gino Guyer increased the visitors? lead to 2-0, converting off another Steelheads? turnover to pick up his ninth of the year. Chris Stevens and Taylor Christie set up the even-strength goal.Through two periods the RoadRunners led 2-0 on the scoreboard and 19-17 in shots.The RoadRunners made it a 3-0 game at 16:18 of the third period when Peder Skinner grabbed a loose puck in the slot and blasted a shot past Zaba for a power play goal, his 16th of the campaign. With less than two minutes left in regulation John Lammers scored on the power play, with Galbraith drawing the first of his two assists on the night. Then, with two seconds left, John Snowden cleaned up the rebound from Galbraith?s offering to make it 3-2. The Steelheads would run out of time however, as they lost for just the second time in their last eight home games.The final shots favored the RoadRunners 32-28. Zaba (6-1-0) lost for the first time as a Steelhead, while RoadRunners? goaltender David McKee (26 saves) improved to 5-8-3. The Steelheads finished one-for-five on the power play and three-for-four on the penalty kill.The Steelheads continue their series with the RoadRunners on Friday, February 15. The puck drops at 7:10 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.