Sparre's second in as many nights secures an Idaho victory

Boise, ID - Regulation time wasn?t enough for the Steelheads and Falcons in the second game of a two-game set. Kris Sparre netted the game-winning goal in overtime for the Steelheads in front of 2,886 fans at Qwest Arena. The goal raised controversy on the Fresno end, but it was never in doubt by the officials. Sparre was hauled down, slid into Falcons goalie Michael Ouzas, and during the collision the puck crossed the line giving the Steelheads (5-5-1-1) the victory. The scoring was opened in the first period when Steve Gainey pounded home the rebound from a Matt Stephenson shot for a 1-0 lead at 2:26. Idaho took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, largely because goalie Rejean Beauchemin was perfect, stopping all 16 Fresno shots in the first. In the second, Fresno (7-3-1) netted the first two goals of the period to take a 2-1 lead. The first came from Matt Stefanishion, his team-leading eighth, at 6:26. Oren Eizenman and Jarrett Konkle picked up assists. Just over a minute later, Eizenman scored his second on the power play, with an assist going to Mike Radja. The Steelheads had two of their own, though, in the second period. Justin Bourne netted his first as a Steelhead, and first of the season, at 15:02. Sparre picked up the lone assist on the goal. Thirty-two seconds later, Tyler Shelast scored his first of the season, and also first as a Steelhead, with assists going to Matt Stephenson and Marty Flichel. Kenny MacAulay scored the third period?s only goal, a power play tally at 14:12. The goal was the third of the season for MacAulay, and the lone assist was given to Mike Radja. Sparre scored the game-winner at 2:09 of overtime for the win. Beauchemin?s record on the season improves to 2-2-2 with the win; he stopped 19 of 22 Fresno shots. Ouzas falls to 3-2 with the loss; he steered aside 19 of 23 Idaho shots. TONIGHT?S AQUAFINA THREE STARS: MATT STEPHENSON (IDH) STEVE GAINEY (IDH) MARTY FLICHEL (IDH) TONIGHT?S COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PERFORMER: KRIS SPARRE (IDH)