Steelheads Announce Playoff Roster

The Idaho Steelheads and the ECHL announced the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoff rosters today. Idaho?s squad includes 13 forwards, 7 defensemen and 3 goaltenders; two players are currently on AHL recall and one is on the injured reserve list. The ECHL allows for a maximum of 20 skaters on the active roster and room for one player on the 3-day IR, 7-day IR and 30-day IR. All ECHL teams had a 3:00 p.m. EDT deadline today to submit their rosters.Led by nine members of the Steelheads? 2007 Kelly Cup Championship squad is captain Marty Flichel, veteran forward Lance Galbraith, First Team All-ECHL veteran defenseman Darrell Hay, 2007 Kelly Cup MVP goaltender Steve Silverthorn, Taggart Desmet, John Lammers, Greg Rallo (AHL), Kory Scoran, and Blake Forsyth. Both Galbraith and Hay were also on the Steelheads 2004 Kelly Cup Championship team, making them two of only 15 individuals to have their names engraved on the Kelly Cup trophy twice.Steelheads head coach Derek Laxdal said, ?This is the most exciting time of the year; every little bounce, every little play and every little mistake makes a big difference.? He added, ?We?re trying to do two things this year, we trying to win and defend the Kelly Cup. This will be a great match up against Alaska and our guys are very excited.?The full roster is as follows:FORWARDS (13): Andrew Martin, Mike Sullivan, Richard Clune (AHL), Taggart Desmet, Colin Sinclair, John Snowden, Marty Flichel, Mark Bomersback, Aaron Gagnon, John Lammers, Greg Rallo (AHL), Matt Craig (IR), Lance Galbraith.DEFENSEMEN (7): Kory Scoran, Ethan Graham, Michael Beynon, Blake Forsyth, Craig Cescon, Jeremy Scherlinck, Darrell Hay.GOALTENDERS (3): Matt Zaba, Kellen Briggs, Steve Silverthorn The best-of-seven National Conference Quarterfinals series begins on Wednesday, Apr. 9 at Qwest Arena. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 10 with the puck dropping at 7:10 p.m. MDT for all home playoff games. The full schedule is as follows:Idaho Steelheads (#4 High Seed) vs Alaska Aces (#5 Low Seed)Game 1 4/9 Wednesday 7:10 MDT Alaska @ IdahoGame 2 4/10 Thursday 7:10 MDT Alaska @ IdahoGame 3 4/12 Saturday 9:15 MDT Idaho @ AlaskaGame 4 4/13 Sunday 9:15 MDT Idaho @ AlaskaGame 5 4/15 Tuesday 9:15 MDT Idaho @ Alaska (if nec.)Game 6 4/17 Thursday 7:10 MDT Alaska @ Idaho (if nec.)Game 7 4/20 Sunday 7:10 MDT Alaska @ Idaho (if nec.)Tickets for home Games 1 and 2 of the 2007-08 ECHL National Conference, West Division first round Kelly Cup playoffs are on sale now by calling 331-TIXS, by visiting www.idahosteelheads.com (using the print-at-home feature), or by stopping by the Qwest Arena box office. For groups or to guarantee the best seats with a playoff package, please call 383-0080.The Steelheads have claimed two Kelly Cup Championships in the past four seasons, including their first in the ECHL in 2003-04 and again last year. In 2007, Idaho upset defending Kelly Cup Champion Alaska in five games to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals where they defeated the Dayton Bombers in five games, becoming only the fourth team to claim two ECHL championships. Idaho is 7-2 all-time in ECHL playoff action against Alaska having defeated them in their first meeting in the second round of the 2003-04 playoffs.- www.idahosteelheads.com -