Steelheads hold off Stockton comeback attempt, silence Thunder

The Idaho Steelheads (10-2-1) remained perfect against the Stockton Thunder (4-6-3) this season as Idaho topped the Thunder 4-2 in front of 5,716 fans at Stockton Arena. Evan Barlow netted a pair, and Rejean Beauchemin won in his first start since returning from the American Hockey League. The fireworks kicked off early in the contest with the second scrap between former teammates Adam Huxley and Stockton?s Garet Hunt at 2:33 of the first period. Hunt appeared to initiate the altercation in an effort to spark his team. However, it was the Steelheads who opened the scoring under 90 seconds later when Evan Barlow found the back of the net from point-blank for his sixth of the season. Brandan Kushniruk and Brendan Milnamow notched the assists on the game?s first tally. It only took the Steelheads 12 seconds in the second period to extend their lead to 2-0 as Kevin Devergilio ripped a shot from the left wing circle to beat Stockton goalie Andrew Perugini. Assisting on DeVergilio?s third of the season were John Swanson and Trevor Ludwig. At 7:43, Stockton began a flurry that they sustained for a good portion of the second period?s midsection. Judd Blackwater banged a puck by Steelheads goalie Rejean Beauchemin. Just over a minute later, Jason Pitton tied the game at 2-2 as he popped another behind Beauchemin. Evan Barlow would end the Stockton pressure with his second of the contest and seventh of the season at the 16:16 mark. Weston Tardy?s point shot was stopped by Perugini, but through traffic Barlow was able to put his stick on the rebound, depositing the puck into the Stockton cage for the go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner. Tardy and Tyler Spurgeon were credited with the assists on the goal. At :33 of the third period, Trevor Ludwig tacked on insurance for the Steelheads, capitalizing on a point shot through traffic. John Swanson picked up the lone assist on Ludwig?s second of the season. Rejean Beauchemin improved to 4-0-0 on the campaign. Beauchemin stopped 17 of 19 shots in the win. Andrew Perugini lost for the second night in a row to the Steelheads, dropping his record to 3-3-2. He stopped 26 of 30 shots. The teams will finish the three-game set tomorrow at Stockton Arena. The puck drops at 5:00 PM Mountain Time.