Barlow's OT winner lifts Idaho past Alaska

Anchorage, AK- The Idaho Steelheads (7-0-1) defeated the Alaska Aces (5-3-1) in overtime by a 3-2 score at Sullivan Arena tonight. Overtime was needed for the second night in a row, but this evening it was the Steelheads earning the all-important second point. The Steelheads and the Aces each saw a man-advantage twice, but failed to score in the first period. In the second period, it took Alaska 1:06 to get on the board; Tyson Marsh took a pass from Scott Burt in the high-slot and beat Richard Bachman to give Alaska the game?s first goal. Over fifteen minutes would pass before the Steelheads eventually got on the board. After going 0-for-11 in their power plays dating back to Saturday night?s contest, Mark Derlago scored his sixth of the season with a man-advantage as he banged a rebound by Aces? netminder Scott Reid. Tyler Spurgeon picked up his team-leading 10th assist on Derlago?s team-leading sixth goal. Evan Barlow added the second assist. The Steelheads took a lead when Brandan Kushniruk netted his first professional goal fifteen seconds into the third period; he picked up a bounce in front of the net, and buried the puck by Reid. Assisting on the goal were Mathieu Tousignant and Michael Neal. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation time, Nick Tuzzolino scored the tying goal for Alaska, sending a slapper under Richard Bachman?s right arm from the top of the right circle. Early in the overtime period, Tyler Spurgeon forced a turnover and found Evan Barlow streaking into the offensive end. As the lone Steelheads forward in the offensive zone, he fired a wrist shot from the top of the left circle and beat Scott Reid on the stick side, securing the OT win for Idaho. Richard Bachman stopped 22 of 24 shots for the overtime victory; he is now 4-0-1. Scott Reid falls to 2-1-1; he made 34 saves on 37 shots for the Aces. TONIGHT'S AQUAFINA THREE STARS: 1. EVAN BARLOW (IDH) 2. TYLER SPURGEON (IDH) 3. SCOTT REID (AK) TONIGHT'S COORS LIGHT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: EVAN BARLOW (IDH)