Steelheads silence Thunder with two-goal second period

Boise, ID - The Steelheads (8-7-2) won their second game in three meetings with the Stockton Thunder (6-7-3) in front of 4,064 fans at Qwest Arena. The win was the first in regulation at home for the Steelheads this season. Of their three previous home wins, two came in overtime, and one ended after a shootout. Tonight?s game resembled last night?s affair, a Stockton win, through one period. The lone goal in the first period had Stockton ahead 1-0, despite the Steelheads outshooting the Thunder 14-8. At 8:53 of the opening frame, Justin Chwedoruk scored, with assists going to James Bates and Garet Hunt. The second period looked like a shooting gallery from both sides; Matt Climie faced 14 Stockton shots in the Idaho goal, while Bryan Pitton saw 17 Steelheads attempts. However, Climie was perfect, while the Steelheads solved Pitton twice. Brent Shepheard scored the first goal for Idaho at 8:51; the goal was his fourth, with assists going to Matt McKnight and Bryan McGregor. Steve Gainey put the Steelheads ahead when he capitalized on a breakaway at 17:41 after a great outlet pass from Ben Nelson. Gainey?s goal would stand as the game-winner in the end. Matt Stephenson added some insurance for the Steelheads in the third period, scoring on a point shot to put Idaho ahead 3-1. Marty Flichel and Mark Bomersback picked up assists on the goal. Climie (4-4-0) stopped 34 of 35 Stockton shots this evening, while Pitton (2-6-1) stopped 32 of 35 Idaho shots. TONIGHT?S AQUAFINA THREE STARS: MATT CLIMIE (IDH) STEVE GAINEY (IDH) BRENT SHEPHEARD (IDH) TONIGHT?S COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PERFORMER: STEVE GAINEY (IDH)