Winning Streak Snapped at Three Games in Utah

The Idaho Steelheads (22-6-2) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end with a 5-2 loss to the Utah Grizzlies (15-10-2) at the E Center tonight. The Steelheads fell behind 3-0 in the first period, and were never able to come back against the Grizzlies. Ryan Kinasewich jump-started the Grizzlies attack at 4:27 of the first period with his league-leading 20th goal of the season. Later in the period, the Grizzlies scored two goals in a matter of 29 seconds as Tim Crowder and Hugo Carpentier each found the back of the net. In the second period, Tom May and Bobby Hughes scored for Utah, who led 5-0 after 40 minutes. Interestingly enough, the last time the two teams met, the Steelheads had a 5-0 lead before Utah mustered any offense. The third period was controlled by the Steelheads, who picked up their two goals in the final frame. At 3:47, Kevin DeVergilio redirected home his sixth of the season, assisted by Weston Tardy, to break the shutout. At 13:16, Matt McKnight charged the net and put home a rebound from an Adam Huxley shot to make the score 5-2, which is how the game would end. Marty Flichel also assisted on McKnight?s sixth of the season. The assist gives Huxley points in his last four games. Rejean Beauchemin stopped 31 of 36 shots in the losing effort for Idaho; Beauchemin is now 12-4-1. Parker Van Buskirk stopped 17 of 19 shots in the win for Utah; he is now 5-7-1. The Steelheads will take to the ice against the Las Vegas Wranglers in the annual Midnight Game in Las Vegas. The puck drops at 12:59 AM MST on December 30th. Idaho returns home to Qwest Arena to play the Stockton Thunder on December 31st, January 1st, and January 2nd.