Steelheads Fall in First of Three Games in Victoria

The Idaho Steelheads (2-3-3) were tied in the third period for the fifth time in eight games this season Wednesday night in Victoria, but were unable to earn a win as the Victoria Salmon Kings (6-2-0) scored twice in the final frame to secure a 3-2 win over Idaho. Mark Derlago scored his eighth goal in eight games to start the season for the Steelheads. The lone goal in the first period was scored by Victoria?s Derek Couture as he tipped home a Ryan Turek point shot; the goal gave the Salmon Kings a 1-0 lead entering the first intermission. At 3:23 of the second period, Derlago tied the game for the Steelheads as he collected a bouncing puck in front of the Victoria goal, deked to his backhand, and placed the puck over the goal line with the netminder out-of-position. Tyler Ludwig and Marty Flichel registered assists on Derlago?s team-leading eighth goal of the season. After the teams were tied 1-1 after 40 minutes, Rick Cleaver put Victoria on top 2-1 at 4:14 of the second period with a wrist shot from the left wing circle. Just over eight minutes later at 12:58, Steelheads center Justin Taylor took a pass from Mike Gabinet on the power play, walked into the left circle, and sent a wrist shot of his own behind Victoria goalie David Shantz. The goal was Taylor?s second of the season. Less than three minutes later, Milan Gajic streaked up the right wing and beat Idaho goalie Tyler Beskorowany under the left arm with a wrist shot to give Victoria a 3-2 lead, and the Salmon Kings would preserve the lead to win the one-goal game. Tyler Beskorowany is 2-3-2 in net for Idaho after the loss in which he stopped 27 of 30 shots. David Shantz is 3-2-0 after stopping 31 of 33 shots. The two teams are back in action Friday and Saturday nights in Victoria. The Steelheads return home on November 10th to take on the Stockton Thunder.